Culture of every married couple.

Ryan expected Arwen to react —anything, really. A glance, a flicker of acknowledgement, a shift in expression. But she didn't. 

She simply continued eating, her demeanor cool and composed, as if he didn't even exist beside her. 

His jaws clenched. His hands curled into tight fists beneath the table, and his frustration mounted with every passing second. He never imagined it would be this difficult to get even a simple reaction from her. 

Ryan's gaze darkened, sharp as daggers, sending silent glares in her direction. But Arwen remained completely unbothered. To her, he was nothing more than air —and she made sure he knew it.

Beca, who was sitting next to Arwen as well, could clearly see what his son was trying to do. Her brows knitted a deep frown, and she was about to voice out her disapproval when felt Gareth place a hand over hers. 

Their eyes met, and Gareth gave a small shake of his head, silently asking hir to not make it obvious.