“How’s this? Why don’t I treat you two to a meal as my way of thanking you for everything you’ve done for me? I’m afraid I’m going to have to take up more of your time for a while. I just hope you won’t hate me for it, Nina.”
I wasn’t keen on engaging in any of these meaningless fights with Isobel. In five days, I would be leaving Dante for good. All I wanted to do now was sort everything out properly and leave as soon as possible.
However, at my prolonged silence, Isobel’s eyes reddened with tears.
“Dante, is Nina upset? After all, you two are about to get married, but…”
Upon hearing Isobel’s words, Dante frowned and rebuked me in displeasure, “What’s with that attitude of yours? Isobel is sincerely trying to thank us! Would it kill you to have a meal with her? It’s not like anyone’s going to poison the food.”
I hadn’t even spoken, but Dante had already determined that I was guilty of being unhappy and causing a scene.
I was ultimately dragged to the restaurant by Dante. When the server came to take our order, I started flipping through the menu. However, Dante immediately said, “Avoid all heavily seasoned and raw or undercooked food, and make sure none of the food is cooked with garlic.”
Once the food arrived, Dante thoughtfully served Isobel some food before shoving a platter of prawns toward me.
“Isobel can’t have any seafood right now. I ordered this for you,” he said.
As I stared at the prawns, I lost all my appetite. I set my cutlery down and said, “I’m allergic to seafood.”
Dante didn’t even remember my seafood allergy, but he knew Isobel’s dietary restrictions by heart. He could even recall specific details, such as the fact that Isobel didn’t like garlic.
Stiffening, Dante looked at me with a flicker of guilt before ordering a few more dishes for the table. Even so, I didn’t pick up my cutlery again. I simply sipped my water in total silence.
After the meal, we were about to leave when I got a call from Julia.
“Nina, Professor Moore wants me to confirm with you whether you’re sure you want to fully comply with the project’s proposed schedule. This research is part of a classified project, so you might have to spend a year or two cut off from the outside world.”
My eyes landed on Dante and Isobel, who were ahead of me. As they descended the steps, he even carefully placed his arm around her waist to support her.
“I’m sure,” I responded in an unnervingly calm manner.
“Okay, good,” Julia said. “Professor Moore was worried you wouldn’t be able to stand being away from your husband.”
Withdrawing my gaze, I turned and headed down the other side.
“My wedding has been called off. I’ve already completed all the arrangements to leave.”
As soon as I finished speaking, I heard a puzzled voice behind me asking, “Who’s leaving?”
