The atmosphere on the terrace was light, the earlier tension of the theater replaced by an easy, intimate warmth. Between bites of the rich lobster and tender Wagyu, the conversation flowed effortlessly. They traded stories and small jokes, the kind of easy banter that made the high-stakes world of Boston feel like a lifetime away. At one point, Killian leaned across the table, offering her a forkful of his steak with a playful glint in his eyes, watching with deep satisfaction as she tasted it.
Raya found herself laughing—truly laughing—for the first time in weeks. Feeding each other in the flickering candlelight, surrounded by the scent of roses and woodsmoke, it felt less like a formal dinner and more like a secret they were sharing with the stars.
As they finished the main course, th
