FlashBacks

Evangeline’s patience was at its breaking point.

She had always believed Alexandrez despised Aurelia.

He had no love for her, no tolerance, and only contempt. But his behavior today planted a seed of doubt in her mind.

Aurelia had walked by him just moments ago, and Alexandrez… turned slightly in her direction.

It wasn’t much, just a subtle movement, but it was enough to ignite a storm of jealousy in Evangeline.

For a man like Alexandrez, who prided himself on control and precision, such an unconscious action spoke volumes.

And it was something Evangeline could not accept.

Her fiery eyes bore into Alexandrez, who sat across from her with an unreadable expression.

She couldn’t contain her frustration any longer. “Alexandrez, do you not want to have dinner with me? If you don’t, just say it. There’s no need to sit there with such a sour face.”

Alexandrez set the ornate menu down on the polished table with deliberate care.

His long, pale fingers rested lightly against its edges as he lifted his chin.

His striking features were calm, but his piercing eyes were colder than frost. “Evangeline, you should know me well enough by now. I’m not someone prone to strong emotions.”

His tone was flat, yet the weight of his words silenced Evangeline’s initial anger.

Alexandrez wasn’t a man of many words.

Even when misunderstandings arose, he wouldn’t explain himself unless he deemed it absolutely necessary.

Years ago, Aurelia had once spent hours trying to coax just a few more sentences out of him.

And now, here he was, giving Evangeline a full explanation without hesitation.

That had to mean she still held a special place in his heart, didn’t it?

Evangeline clung to that hopeful thought, her irritation giving way to a forced smile.

Her voice softened, taking on a sugary sweetness. “I’m sorry, Alexandrez. I got upset and spoke without thinking. After all these years, I know better than anyone what you’re like.”

Alexandrez snorted lightly, his expression unchanging as he turned back to the menu in front of him.

The restaurant, La Fenêtre, was one of Aurelia's favorite places.

Alexandrez had lost count of how many times she’d dragged him here, always insisting on their shared meals.

He remembered the way her face would light up with excitement as she spoke. “Alexandrez, do you know why this place is so special? The menu isn’t just thrown together, it’s designed to awaken your appetite. Isn’t that fascinating?”

Alexandrez’s brows furrowed at the memory.

He glanced down at the menu in his hands now, flipping through it as though searching for something.

But no matter how closely he looked, he couldn’t see what was so extraordinary about it.

To him, it was just paper with words on it.

What had Aurelia seen in this place that made it so important to her?

Evangeline studied Alexandrez’s face, mistaking his pensive look for hunger.

She saw this as her moment to speak, hoping to draw his attention back to her.