Chapter 219

After they finished eating, they walked out of the restaurant. The night air felt cooler than she expected, or maybe it was just her nerves settling in her chest. “Mr. Hardison, thank you for dinner. My car is here,” Lily said as she spotted the black sedan pulling into the parking area. She tried to keep her tone light, polite, distant. David stepped forward and glanced at the car, then blocked her path as if the conversation was already over. “No. Get in my car. I’ll drive you.” His tone was calm, almost quiet, but Lily recognized the heaviness underneath. This wasn’t a suggestion. This was him drawing a line. Her first instinct was to refuse. She opened her mouth, ready to say she could manage, ready to tell him they didn’t need to travel together. But Danish was standing right beside her, holding her hand with his small fingers. She couldn’t start an argument here. Not in front of her son. Not when she had no idea where David’s emotions were right now. So she closed her mouth. Her