The night stretched over the city like a velvet curtain, the skyline dotted with warm golden lights. Inside Axel's apartment, the atmosphere was dimly lit, the soft glow of a single pendant light casting long shadows across the dining table. The scent of seasoned steak and roasted vegetables lingered in the air, mingling with the crisp scent of red wine.
Axel sat at the head of the sleek black dining table, rolling the stem of his wine glass between his fingers. His expression was unreadable, a carefully constructed mask of nonchalance, but his sharp blue eyes flicked toward the woman seated across from him. Thalia, elegant yet effortless in a silk blouse, speared a piece of asparagus with her fork before looking up with a smirk.
