When the meal finally ended, Rachel, Lily, Jacob, and I followed our parents outside, but Sophie stayed behind.
I saw her deftly clearing the dishes, her small frame moving with practiced motions that made my heart ache.
I stood up. "Mom, I’ll help Sophie wash the dishes."
"No need!" Margaret pulled me toward the couch.
"A girl needs to learn housework from a young age, or her husband’s family will look down on her later."
I gave an awkward smile and turned to glance at Lily and Rachel, who were sitting quietly nearby.
They had hardly spoken during the meal, and I hadn’t gotten the chance to talk to them.
Now that I was looking, my gaze locked on Rachel.
She looked exhausted—her face pale, dark circles under her eyes like someone with a chronic illness.
Sarah was twenty-one, but Rachel was my age. How could her health already be so poor?
"Rachel, are you feeling unwell? Are you working now or still in school?"
She forced a small smile, her eyes growing red as she looked at me.
"I’m not in school anymore. I work out of town. When I heard you were coming, I took time off. I’ll head back the day after tomorrow."
"I’m fine, thank you for caring."