While Aurelia sat in a daze,Santino arrived again.Without a word,he pulled Astrid into his arms,his hostile gaze locked on Aurelia as if guarding against her hurting Astrid.
The wariness in his eyes cut deep,and she forced a polite smile.“Then I’ll be going.”
“Hey,Aurelia,since you’re already here,come sit and eat with us!”
Just as she was about to decline,Santino’s cold voice interrupted.“Stay.”
She froze.
“Stay and watch how Astrid and I love each other.”
Knowing he meant to humiliate her,she wanted to leave,but in the end,she only forced a smile and sat down.
Halfway through the meal,a burnt smell spread through the restaurant.Santino was the first to react,his expression tightening as he said,“It’s on fire,let’s get out!”
As he spoke,he instinctively stood and reached toward Aurelia.
“Fire,Santino,let’s go!”
At Astrid’s cry,his hand froze in midair before he forced it away,grabbing Astrid instead as they rushed out together.
Watching Santino’s figure disappear without once looking back,Aurelia’s heart ached bitterly.The taste of blood rose in her throat,the pressure of the pain almost suffocating her.