“You both seem very close. So what exactly is your relationship with each other?”
Isabel froze for a second.
Clearly caught off guard by the question.
But she quickly recovered. Almost immediately, she leaned closer to Magnus. She reached for his arm and wrapped both of her hands around it.
“Magnus is my—”
Before she could finish her sentence, Magnus suddenly pulled his arm out of her grip.
The movement was sharp and immediate.
He shifted slightly away from her in his seat, his expression turning cold as he spoke.
“She’s my close friend’s sister.”
His voice was flat.
“I’m looking after her while my friend is overseas for work.”
Sophia had been quietly watching the two of them—the way Isabella leaned toward him and how closely they sat together. So when she heard his denial, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
“Oh really?” Sophia said lightly, her gaze moving between them. “I thought the two of you were together. You seem very close. I honestly assumed you were a couple.”
She tilted her head slightly, her smile widening just a little. “It’s surprising to hear you deny it when it looks like the two of you are so close.”
Magnus’s expression darkened, a flash of irritation crossing his face as he stared at her. Every word Sophia spoke seemed to push his anger further.
“That’s not—” he started, but before he could finish, Sophia had already turned toward Elias.
“Let’s go,” she said calmly, picking up her bag and rising from her seat. “I have more important things to take care of. I think we’re done here.”
He gave a short nod and rose to his feet beside her. “Alright.”
The two of them stood together, looking completely unbothered.
Sophia cast a brief glance at Magnus.
“Mr. Graves, enjoy your meal,” she said lightly. “We’ll leave you two alone now.”
Before Magnus could respond, Elias slipped his hand into hers.
Their fingers intertwined naturally.
Then he gently pulled her away from the table, guiding her toward the exit.
Magnus sat frozen in his seat.
His eyes fixed on them as they walked away together.
His jaw clenched, muscles along his face tightening with every step they took. But it wasn’t just the sight of them moving together that ignited his fury—it was Elias’s hand, wrapped firmly around Sophia’s, the subtle pressure in his fingers sending a wave of possessive anger through Magnus.
The longer he stared at their joined hands, the hotter his temper flared, his fists curling involuntarily under the table.
Elias and Sophia Booth stepped out of the restaurant. As they reached the sidewalk, they let go of each other’s hands automatically, but their steps stayed perfectly in sync. They moved toward the street together, gliding effortlessly to the car parked nearby.
As they approached, Elias furrowed his brow.
