Leonie''s constantining drew an increasingly suspicious look from Gwh.


    Hans, was he never going to smile?


    It was odd, really.


    "Come on, let''s go grab a number before the line gets too long," Leonie urged, ncing at her watch.


    They''d meant to arrive earlier, but now was peak dinner hour, and the ce was packed.


    Gwh had assumed Leonie would pull some strings for a table. Back in Starfall City, if Gwh wanted to eat out, all she had to do was make a call and the best table would be waiting.


    But Leonie had no such intentions. She dutifully led Gwh to the host stand, picked up a numbered slip, and guided her to the waiting area, where the owner had arranged a row of seats by the fogged-up windows. Outside, the cold wind whipped through the small town''s misty streets, making people shiver, but inside, the restaurant was cozy and bustling, the warmth and chatter quickly washing away any sense of loneliness.


    Everyone seemed wrapped in a cocoon offort. Sitting beside Leonie, Gwh thought that even if someone came here alone, the lively atmosphere would keep them from feeling isted.


    Gwh waited quietly, barely saying a word; Leonie, on the other hand, filled every silence with cheerful chatter.


    Not that Gwh minded. She was happy enough to listen. The delight on Leonie''s face was unmistakable—she looked as if every ordinary outing was a brand-new adventure.


    Watching her, Gwh couldn''t help but feel a twinge of envy.


    Leonie came from a family with every advantage; she''d seen the best of everything, eaten at every fine restaurant. And yet, she still found genuine excitement in a simple meal at a crowded local spot. Gwh couldn''t understand it. At the same age, barely into her twenties, Gwh herself felt calm to the point of numbness.


    "Not getting swept up in pleasure or weighed down by sorrow" was supposed to be a virtue, but in her case, it just felt like a quiet kind of sadness.


    "Our turn!" Leonie announced, her ability to keep an ear on the queue while chatting non-stop leaving Gwh genuinely


    impressed-she''d thought for sure Leonie would miss their number.


    Once they were seated, Leonie pulled out her phone and turned to Gwh for approval. "I want to see if my brother can join us what do you think?"


    Layne Everhart? Gwh had no objections. In fact, she rather liked the Everhart family''s warmth and easyughter—a real sense of togetherness.


    Leonie, having gotten Gwh''s nod, dialed her brother with a bright smile. "Hey, Layne! Gwyn and I are grabbing dinner-want to join us?"


    While Leonie waited, Gwh quietly unwrapped her utensils. Leonie''s hopeful face drooped a little, disappointment softening her features.


    If Gwh had to guess, Layne wasn''ting.


    “Oh, okay. You''re busy—I get it,” Leonie sighed into the phone, hanging up.


    Gwh didn''t ask, but Leonie started venting about Layne''s workaholic tendencies anyway.


    Gwh wasn''t so sure; she suspected Layne might be out on a date. She''d noticed the pastel pink hair tie around his wrist, something only a girlfriend would give.


    The soup pot and a tter of meat


    and vegetables arrived, and as


    Leonie tossed ingredients into the steaming broth, she continued her


    yful grumbling about her brother.


    Gwh listened patiently. The two of them were just starting to enjoy their meal when Gwh''s phone buzzed.


    An unfamiliar number shed on the screen. Without thinking, she answered.


    "Gwyn, did you really have to block me? How have you been these days? Where are you staying? Did you find a job yet? If you''d just swallow your pride, you know I''d still take you back.”