The hot pot restaurant was lively, its air thick with the aroma of spiced broth and sizzling meats. They were seated at a private table, but the tension among them was impossible to ignore. Cornelia placed herself between Seraphine and Luther, her laughter frequent, her touches on Luther’s arm subtle but deliberate.
Seraphine stayed silent, her thoughts tangled. She’d long since grown accustomed to Cornelia’s games, but tonight, the weight of it all pressed harder than ever.
As the meal unfolded, Cornelia reached for the ladle. Her movements, though graceful, were far too calculated. In one swift motion, she tilted the pot just enough to cause the steaming broth to spill. The hot liquid splashed onto both women.
Seraphine hissed in pain, her arm scalded, but Cornelia let out a dramatic cry, clutching her leg. “Oh no!” she wailed, her face a mask of exaggerated agony. “I didn’t mean to!”
Luther shot up, his attention snapping entirely to Cornelia. “Cornelia! Are you okay?” His voice was urgent, his hands hovering over her as though she might shatter.