Chapter 43

Maya’s POV

The whole situation felt deeply unsettling. Across the table, Thomas sat serenely cutting into his steak, contentedly chewing each bite, while I prodded at my tuna as if it were a dangerous creature, too anxious even to swallow. Ever since the waiter had set our plates down, Thomas had peppered me with questions I couldn’t answer. It was like being in an interrogation room—only the person holding the questions clearly despised me, and I knew I wouldn’t earn his approval. That was the lesson I kept reminding myself.

“That steak’s going to get cold, kid. You’d better start eating,” he said, lifting the water glass to his lips.

I forced myself to take a bite of the tuna. It truly was delicious—fresh flavor, delicate texture—but in that moment, every mouthful lodged in my throat. Even breathing felt like too much effort. Still, I forced my