Revenge is Best Served After Reborn (James) novel Chapter 1397

Sophie followed Gordon's gaze to her shoulder and noticed a faint scar. With a playful smile, she said, "Hey, it's just a tiny scrape, doesn’t hurt at all."

"It's not just that," Gordon replied.

"Huh?" Sophie looked puzzled. "Not that? Then what?"

"Come on, let me patch that up for you," he said, opening the bedroom door.

The maid handed over a first aid kit, and Gordon led Sophie to sit on the couch. He knelt down, gently and carefully applying a band-aid to her wound. His slow, meticulous movements seemed unusually tender.

Noticing this, Sophie couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. "What's up with you today?" she asked.

Gordon paused for a moment. Usually, he'd laugh off her minor scrapes and call her clumsy, but today was different. "Silly girl," he said, giving her nose a playful flick. "It's your big day. I just don't want you getting hurt."

"Is that all?" she asked, sensing something more.

"That's all," he assured.

"But you seem different today," Sophie insisted, feeling her brother's unusual demeanor.

"Sophie, are you happy today?" Gordon asked softly.

"Of course!" She hugged him tightly, her face lit up with a sweet smile. "With mom and dad, Jeremy and Liz, you, Jenna, and all my friends here. Even Harold, despite teasing me, went all out with the party. I’ve forgiven him!"

Sophie kept glancing at him, her unease growing stronger. Harold's footsteps seemed to fade behind them as they reached the top of the staircase on the second floor. The applause from below felt distant and unreal.

She scanned the crowd on the first floor, noting the smiles on everyone's faces — mom, dad, Jeremy, Liz, Jenna... they were all there.

Suddenly, she thought she heard three loud bangs, and panic swept over her. "What was that?"

"Sophie," Gordon said, gently cupping her face, making her meet his eyes. Her eyes were red, tears threatening to spill.

Yet, Gordon still wore that gentle smile. "Happy Birthday, Sophie. You’ve been asking for a birthday present, right? This is something I’ve wanted to give you for so long."