Their Queen's Back - Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Skye had already dried her hair and was lounging casually against the headboard, her dark eyes gazing out the window. When she saw Sophia emerge, she masked her emotions.
Waving her over, Skye called out, "Come here, let me dry your hair."
Sophia's first instinct was to decline.
"I don't want to trouble my sister," she thought.
"She just got back to Cascadia. I don't want to make her work so hard."
But my sister Skye's voice was so gentle and soothing, like a siren's song—impossible to resist, filled with mesmerizing charm.
Before she knew it, Sophia found herself walking over and obediently lying down, letting the warm air from the dryer softly caress her head.
"So nice," Sophia thought.
Sophia closed her eyes contentedly, only to snap them open again almost immediately.
"I'm afraid this is just a dream," she thought, "a beautiful dream where I get to admire Skye's radiant beauty all to myself."
Sophia asked timidly, her voice barely above a whisper, "Sis... are you leaving again?"
Skye's hands paused mid-motion before she answered tenderly, offering a reassuring smile, "I'm staying."
From now on, wherever I go, you and our sisters will always be with me.
Overwhelmed with joy, Sophia didn't even notice her tears soaking the hem of Skye's dress—so hot they almost left a mark.
Skye said nothing, simply and gently wiping away the tears from her sister's face.
"She must have suffered so much all these years," Skye thought.
There was no need to force her, no need to push.
"From now on, there'll be no more suffering—because I'm here now," Skye silently promised.
"Alright, go get the hand cream from my suitcase."
"On it!"
Sophia immediately sprang up and brought over a pale pink tube of hand cream.
Skye opened the tube and looked at her. "Hold out your hands," she said.
Sophia obediently held out her palms. The moment the cool, white, translucent cream touched her skin—
"Why does my heart feel as if it's been touched by something warm?" she wondered.
Skye said softly, "A girl's hands are just as important as her face—make sure to take good care of them."
Sophia's eyes reddened and her nose tingled with the threat of tears. "I can't keep crying—Skye will get annoyed," she thought, forcing herself to hold back.
In a muffled voice, she replied, "Mm-hmm," swallowing down her emotions.
The scent was delightful—a pure, refreshing blend of floral, fruity, and tea notes. It was uplifting and never overwhelming.
Sophia beamed, "Wow, sis! This hand cream smells amazing!"
Skye smiled softly and said, "It's just a little something I whipped up myself. If you like it, take it and use it morning and night."
Sophia's face flushed crimson as she shyly shook her head.
"No, it's yours," she mumbled.
Before she could finish, Skye affectionately pinched her cheek again.
"What's mine is yours," Skye said softly. "Now put it away and sleep."
Sophia nodded obediently, immediately pulling back the covers and slipping into bed. She clung tightly to Skye's arm, pressing herself close to her sister.
Just like when they were little, Skye wrapped her arms around Sophia, gently patting her back until she fell asleep.
It was the most peaceful night Sophia had had in ten years—nestled in her sister's arms, just like old times.
"My sister is really back," she thought.
Sophia murmured in her sleep, "Sis..."
Skye, wide awake, fixed her slightly reddened eyes on her sister, unable to hide the emotions welling up inside her as her gaze swept the room.
In the dead of night, once she was sure the person beside her was sound asleep, Skye carefully got out of bed and tiptoed to the window, glancing back at the sleeping figure before pulling out her phone.
She dialed a number.
In a hushed voice, she said, "It's me, Lauren. I need you to look into something. Also, come to Cascadia—I won't be back for a while. Leave all company matters to the team."
The next day
Sophia blinked awake, still groggy. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she shot upright in bed.
Her eyes darted around—no one!
"Was it all just a dream?" she thought.
"Skye never came back!"
The lingering scent on her hands made Sophia's heart swell with renewed excitement. "Skye really is back!" she thought.
In a flurry, she scrambled out of bed and dashed toward the kitchen.
The clatter of kitchenware grew louder, urging her to quicken her pace.
Just as she rounded the corner, she caught sight of Skye—apron tied neatly around his waist—emerging from the kitchen with a steaming bowl in his hands.
Skye asked gently, "What's wrong? It's only six. Why not sleep in a bit longer?"
Seeing her sister Skye, Sophia's racing heart gradually settled.
Skye saw Sophia walking barefoot on the floor and couldn't help but scold her, "How many times must I tell you? Running around without shoes will make you catch cold—you know cold starts from the feet. Stop acting like a kid and go put on your socks and shoes right now."
Listening to Skye's nagging, Sophia felt a wave of warmth. She sniffled with emotion and nodded emphatically.
"I'll go put them on right away, sis," Sophia replied obediently.
Skye: "Go put on your shoes and wash up. Breakfast will be ready soon."
Sophia: "Okay."
While abroad, since Skye was from Cascadia, her adoptive parents hired a renowned Cascadian chef who specialized in breakfast—delicious, nutritious, and easy on the stomach.
She also tried making a few dishes herself, and judging by how Sophia was devouring them, the flavors must be decent.
"Slow down. No one's gonna fight you for it."
Sophia eagerly bit into the crispy egg and exclaimed, "Sis, it's so delicious!"
Skye handed her a tissue. "Wipe your mouth. Sophia, are you at work these days?"
Sophia's bright expression dimmed instantly. She averted her gaze, hesitated, but still answered honestly, "Yeah, sis. I work at Morningstar Inc."
Skye ruffled her sister's hair. "I'll take you to work in a bit," she said.
She didn't ask why her sister wanted a job. As the second daughter of the Hughes, Skye could live off her mother's inheritance for a lifetime without ever running out.
She hadn't asked any questions because she'd already sent someone to investigate.
By day's end, she'd have all the answers.
If her sister didn't want to talk, that was fine—but that didn't mean Skye would let herself be kept in the dark.
And if she found out anyone had been bullying her little sister, she would show no mercy.
"No need, sis. You should rest. I'll just take the bus—it's quick," Sophia said.
Skye gave a faint smile. "What, are you ashamed of me?"
Sophia's almond-shaped eyes widened in panic as she shook her head vehemently. "No, not at all, sis! I've never thought that way. I just... don't want to trouble you."
Her voice trailed off as she lowered her head in shame. The truth was, she was afraid she'd embarrass her sister.
At Morningstar Inc., she was just a nobody...
"I'm your sister. What trouble could it be?" Skye replied.
As Skye was speaking, her phone rang. She picked it up and moved away, then said curtly, "Speak."
"Understood."
As they went downstairs, they saw the obese landlord again—now all smiles and greeting them warmly, a completely different person from the snarling, vicious man he'd been yesterday.
His lecherous gaze lingered in inappropriate places.
Skye shot him a piercingly cold glare. The man's smile froze, fear creeping in as he awkwardly averted his eyes.
Her gaze remained icy. "I'll deal with him later," she thought.
Parked beside the run-down apartment building was a bright red Rolls-Royce. Sophia couldn't help but take a second look.
"I know a thing or two about cars, and that one's definitely custom-made—it must've cost a fortune," she thought.
But what was it doing here? It just looked completely out of place.
"Let's go, get in the car," Skye said.
Sophia blinked in confusion. "Wait, what?"
*Get in the car?* she thought.
The only vehicles around were the Rolls-Royce right in front of them and a row of bike-sharing cycles nearby. Was Skye seriously planning to bike her to work?
Though puzzled, Sophia obediently started walking—only in the wrong direction. Skye noticed, grabbed her wrist, and steered her back toward the Rolls-Royce.
"This way. Get in, or we'll be late," Skye urged.