The barbecue arrived in delightful bamboo baskets, the air rich with the intoxicating scent of chili and cumin.
The scene mirrored their earlier visit—a rare moment of shared closeness.
A flicker of nostalgia softened Elizabeth’s mood.
She savored the fish porridge, feeling her stomach settle, and eagerly prepared to grab a prawn skewer.
Before her hand could reach forward, Elijah intercepted, placing the bamboo skewer before himself.
Just as she was about to protest, his gaze fell on her hand.
Her typically simple nails now sported an elaborate design—long and adorned with silver cat-eye polish, intricate butterfly rhinestones catching the light.
“You’re going to peel prawns with those?” Elijah scoffed.
“Aren’t you concerned about ingesting nail polish and getting cancer?”
Elizabeth waved her hand dramatically. “These are eco-friendly, non-toxic materials! Aren’t they lovely?”
He leaned back, eyeing her nails with barely concealed disdain.
“I’ve spent so much money on you, and this is the result? What’s wrong with clean, natural nails? Why clutter them up with all these tacky decorations?”
