Lyla waved her hand with a smile. "Ah, fine then, Dante. But in this house, you'll eat properly."
"Yes, ma'am," Dante said quietly, his deep voice carrying a trace of amusement.
When Alina dared to look up again, she caught him watching her—his expression unreadable but his eyes warm. The sight made her chest flutter.
Ethan looked between them and sighed dramatically. "If he eats any more, Mom, the chair might break," he muttered under his breath.
Lyla swatted him playfully with the towel. "Nonsense. A strong man like him needs a proper breakfast!"
Dante's lips curved slightly at that, and Alina quickly looked away, pretending to sip her coffee, her heart beating far too fast for an ordinary morning.
After breakfast, Alina hugged her aunt tightly, whispering a few quick goodbyes before rushing toward the door. "I'll call you when we reach!" she promised, grabbing her bag. Aunt Lyla and Ethan followed her to the gate, waving with smiles that carried both pride and warmth.
