Laura's gaze lifted in tandem with the silence, and suddenly, the air seemed to tighten. There, at a table, was Nelson.

He was in the company of what appeared to be a well-appointed couple, and opposite them, a family trio including a young woman. She was confident, striking, seemingly his contemporary.

He was there for a blind date.

Just three days after parting ways with Laura, he had already arranged to meet someone new.

The truth became painfully clear: not only did he lack affection for her, but he also never regarded her as his partner.