"Correct again," Kiara said through gritted teeth, her nails digging into her palms under the table.
Lor leaned over, whispering so only Kiara could hear, his breath hot against her ear. "She's enjoying this way too much."
"She thinks she's smarter than both of us, let her have it," Kiara whispered back.
"Don't mumble," Mira said sweetly, sipping her tea, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Speak up. I want to learn subtraction too."
Kiara forced a smile, her fingers twitching as she continued, her body tense with the effort to maintain the facade.
They went on—fives and sevens, twos and nines—and every time Kiara posed the question to Lor, Mira answered first, her soft voice eager, fingers already curled or raised in anticipation, her plump figure swaying slightly as she leaned into the game.
Lor eventually dropped his head in his hands, groaning.
