“You don’t have to pretend, I didn’t even use much force!” Ranita pulled his hand away, her eyes cold. “If you’re really in pain, I’ll call an ambulance for you! I’ll pay for the medical expenses!”
Brendon felt frustrated.
Eating dinner together was more important than going to the hospital.
“Don’t you know how strong you are? Ranita, it’s been years since we’ve seen each other and now you’re so violent!” Brendon muttered to himself but obediently followed behind Ranita into the restaurant.
Ranita had booked a table in a hurry and there was only a communal table left! And it was located by the corridor where people kept walking back and forth. It wasn’t ideal for conversation.
Ranita noticed his displeasure and suddenly spoke up, “You can go back to the hotel if you don’t like it here.”
Brendon sat down. “Ranita, stop being like a hedgehog all the time. Although we’re divorced, we’re not enemies.”
His words were light-hearted but they made Ranita’s stomach ache.
“What would you like to eat?” She handed him the menu which had exquisite dishes at expensive prices – not exactly what one would find at roadside stalls – which improved Brendon’s mood slightly!
“Ranita, let’s talk properly.” Ever since he saw her again, Brendon wanted to have a proper conversation with her but something always got in their way.
“What is there left for us ex-husband and ex-wife to talk about?” Ranita said nonchalantly with a smile playing on her lips as she looked at Brendon’s eyes that seemed filled with laughter.
“Let’s skip reminiscing about old times; everyone has moved on with their new lives so there’s no need to dwell on anything,” she paused before adding, “After leaving Kurima, my life has been great.”
“Really?” Brendon wanted to believe her but how could any woman manage working while taking care of a child alone?
“The money Grandfather left you, if you didn’t use it, how well could you have lived?”
“Your alimony is generous enough! So not only am I living well, but I’m also free and easy.” Ranita pursed her lips and paused. “Brendon, let’s not dwell on the past. It’s irrelevant now. Let’s focus on living our own lives.”
“So there’s nothing for us to talk about!”
Brendon looked at Ranita, feeling uneasy because of her coldness and her rejection from miles away.
“What about Ayaan?!” His voice was low, not too loud, but it made Ranita’s heart tremble.
“What?” Ranita slightly widened her eyes, looking at Brendon. How could he know Ayaan’s name? How did he even find out?
“Ayaan! He’s my child, isn’t he!” Brendon threw out another sentence, and Ranita’s trembling fingers touched the glass, causing it to fall and shatter on the ground.
Ranita’s mind was in a bit of chaos.
“Miss! Are you okay?” The waiter quickly came over, and Ranita crouched down in a daze, reaching out to pick up the broken pieces, mumbling, “Sorry, it was an accident.”
“Ranita, be careful…”
“Hiss!” Before the words were finished, Ranita had already pricked her finger, and a bead of blood immediately welled up on her pale finger.
“Ranita!” Brendon immediately grabbed her hand, pulled out a handkerchief, and gently wrapped it around. “I told you not to move, but you still did!”
“I didn’t…” Ranita’s mind was foggy, and it took her a while to realize that Brendon was holding her hand as she struggled. “Let go, I’m fine.”
Brendon didn’t let go. He held her hand and looked at it again and again.
“Let go…”
The next second, he lowered his head and bit her finger, his wet tongue scraping against her skin, brushing against her heart.
It felt swollen, both sour and sweet.