Lira’s POV
My hand hovered over my plate, the fork suspended mid-air.
Mrs. Blackwood.
Eloise’s words still rang in the air like a joke dipped in truth, daring me to play along.
I should’ve rolled my eyes, I should’ve brushed it off with a sarcastic quip. I should’ve laughed and gone back to my food, but I didn’t.
Damian was watching me, quiet and still.
He looked…vulnerable. Not in a weak way. In a way that made my heart do something stupid — like ache.
“I’m not feeding you,” I said flatly.
His jaw twitched, and Eloise giggled.
“Oh come on, just one bite,” she said, enjoying every ounce of drama. “Let the man live.”
I sighed, setting my fork down.
“Give me your plate,” I said to Damian, not looking at him.
He blinked. “What?”
“You heard me. I’ll feed you when pigs fly. But I’l
