As if on cue, Alina turned, a big smile still plastered on her face from Liam's giggles when she came face to face with the least person she was expecting. The smile dissolved, her face contouring in undisguised disgust. Elena Vaughn.
Alina's mind reeled, recalling everything the Vaughns had done to wreck their lives, the betrayal still a fresh wound. She looked away abruptly, turning her back on Elena and deliberately buying three ice cream cones from a nearby vendor. It was a childish act, a small rebellion, but it felt satisfying.
Damian, completely ignorant of the silent, simmering tension that had just ignited between the two women, collected the ice cream with a genuine smile. He passed one to Liam, who was still perched on his shoulders, humming happily.
"I've never had this in years," Damian admitted, tasting the fluffy, cold cream on his tongue. It was a simple pleasure, one he rarely indulged in, and the sweetness felt almost foreign.
