"Alright. I''m about to board. I''ll talk to youter," N said.


    Vrie replied, "Okay, have a great trip."


    After hanging up, N turned to Damon and Mason, her eyes glowing with happiness.


    She had dreamed for so long of taking a family trip together. Now, that dream had finallye true.


    ...


    Vrie and Brandon walked into the restaurant.


    As they sat down, a server approached with two sses of water.


    "Good evening, sir, ma''am—" Before the server could finish, his smile faltered.


    Vrie hadn''t expected to see Stefan here. A flicker of surprise crossed her face.


    Just as she was about to speak, Stefan quickly regained hisposure, adopting his usual polite smile. "Good evening. May I take your order? We just received fresh salmon and sea urchin today. I highly rmend trying them."


    Brandon raised an eyebrow, a faint hint of mockery in his gaze. "We''ll take your rmendations. And add an order of Arctic shrimp sashimi as well."


    "Certainly, sir. Would you like anything else?" Stefan asked.


    Brandon turned to Vrie. "Do you want to add anything?"


    Vrie closed the menu and said calmly, "No, this should be enough."


    "Understood," Stefan replied.


    After confirming the order, he took the menu and walked away.


    As he turned, his grip on the menu tightened, veins bulging on his hand. His expression darkened with barely contained frustration.


    Throughout dinner, Vrie struggled to enjoy the meal.


    Noticing her distraction, Brandon asked in a low voice, "Vrie, does the food not taste good?"


    Vrie snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head. "No, it''s fine. I''m just feeling a little tired today."


    Brandon nodded. "Then I''ll take you home after dinner."


    "Okay." Vrie put down her utensils and nced toward Stefan,


    stoodata distance.


    look flickered in her eyes.


    As if sensing her gaze, Stefan suddenly turned and met her eyes.


    Their gazes locked for a brief moment.


    Vrie pressed her lips together, about to look away, but Stefan


    the first to lower his gaze. She sighed inwardly guessing he must be hurt.


    A flicker of guilt crossed her heart. She should have made things clear to him sooner.


    Brandon had been observing her reaction. His expression darkened slightly.


    Although Vrie had agreed to give him another chance, he could tell she no longer treated him the same way.


    There was now a distance between


    them. The warmth that had once defined their bond had faded, reced by cold indifference rtionship felt like walking a tightrope—one misstep, and they would plunge into nothingness.


    He couldn''t let that happen.


    After finishing their meal, Brandon handed his card to Stefan. "Check, please."


    Vrie frowned. "We could''ve paid ourselves."


    Brandon nced at her, his brows furrowing slightly. "Vrie, haven''t we always had the staff handle the bill when wee here?"


    Would she have questioned him like this if the server weren''t Stefan?


    Before Vrie could respond, Stefan had already taken the card and said quietly, "Please wait a moment, Mr. Sumner."


    After processing the payment, Stefan returned the card. "Here you go, sir."


    "Thank you," Brandon replied.


    "It''s my pleasure," Stefan answered.


    Brandon took the card and turned to Vrie. "Let''s go, Vrie."


    Vrie looked at Stefan, hesitating as if she wanted to say something.


    After a brief moment of thought, she realized this wasn''t the right time. Without another word, she stood up and left with Brandon.


    Once they were outside, Brandon nced at her and asked quietly, "Vrie, you and Stefan-"