“Ms. Nicholson, don’t just sit there. The beef is delicious. You should try some,” Natasha said. She seemed to have just noticed Dahlia sitting there in silence. Her tone was warm, but her smile carried a hint of triumph.


    “Thank you,” Dahlia replied, looking up and forcing a smile. She picked up a slice of beef, but her throat felt tight, and she could barely swallow. She tried to find something to say, both to break the awkward silence and to satisfy her curiosity about what Dustin had been doingtely.


    “I heard you were away for a long time recently. Were you handling something important?”


    Before he could answer, Natasha cut in. Her tone held both pride and a clear assertion of her knowledge of his whereabouts.


    “You’re right. My man is very capable. He was dealing with some very important matters and even saved the King. Isn’t that right, dear?”


    She ced another piece of meat on Dustin’s te while she spoke.


    Dahlia’s stomach dropped. She’d always known Dustin was extraordinary, but the fact that he’d saved the King revealed just how far he’d risen. The way she looked at him grew even moreplicated.


    Dustin didn’t borate and simply hummed in acknowledgment. The kind of aplishments that would define most people’s lives seemed ordinary to him. His understated response only widened the distance between them.


    The lunch continued in this strange atmosphere.


    Natasha led the conversation, alternating between intimate exchanges with Dustin and “caring” questions about Dahlia’s life that were really just subtle brags.


    Dustin didn’t say much, except for asionally responding to Natasha, while keeping things polite but distant with Dahlia.


    The murmurs from surrounding tables continued. “Did you see that? The stunning woman in red keeps serving him food. She’s so attentive.”


    “The one in white looks kind of unhappy. She’s barely said a word.”


    “That guy’s got some serious self-control. Two gorgeous women are sitting beside him, and he can still eat so calmly.”


    “I bet it’s a love triangle. Look at the tension over there.”


    “I’d give up ten years off my life for one meal with either of those beauties.”


    The chatter added anotheryer of drama to the scene.


    Dahlia felt like she couldn’t sit there much longer. She’d hoped this meal would give her a chance to talk with Dustin properly, maybe even apologize and clear up some misunderstandings.


    But Natasha’s presence blocked every attempt like an imprable wall. And his indifference made it impossible to find an opening to talk with him.


    She watched Natasha lean close to Dustin and whisper something to him. He smiled faintly as he tilted his head to listen. The intimacy between them was almost painful to see


    Dahlia grabbed her ss of iced tea and took a long drink. The cold liquid slid down her throat, but did nothing to cool the anger burning inside her. When she couldn’t stand it anymore, she took a breath and put down her fork.


    “I’m done eating.”


    She dabbed her mouth with a napkin, holding on to whateverposure she had left.


    “I need to use the restroom.”


    She had to get away for a moment, somewhere she could clear her head, and sort through the mess of emotions.


    Watching her hasty retreat, Natasha’s lips curved into a satisfied smirk. She looked like she’d just imed her territory. She leaned close to Dustin and lowered her voice with barely concealed smugness.


    “So? Did I do well? Think I got under her skin?”


    He shot her an exasperated look and tapped her nose lightly.


    11 “Oh, you…”


    There was no reproach in his tone, only indulgence.


    Natasha giggled, thoroughly pleased with her victory. In the restroom, Dahlia sshed cold water on her face. The reflection staring back looked pale and shaken, her emotions a tangled mess.


    She kept telling herself her rtionship with Dustin was over, and all of it was behind her now. He’d moved on and found someone new. They even looked happy together. She had no right to interfere with their life. Still, she couldn’t understand why her heart still hurt so much.


    Dahlia couldn’t stop reying the way he’d reacted without thinking to protect her, and the tender look in his eyes when he gazed at Natasha.


    She took several deep breaths, trying to steady herself. After fixing her makeup, she put her cold, aloof mask back in ce and walked out.


    When she returned to the table, Natasha and Dustin had their heads bent together over her phone, smiling at something on the screen.


    The sight stung Dahlia.