Altair nestled quietly in Selene’s arms, ignoring Leo’s voice as if he hadn’t heard it at all.
A chill seemed to radiate from Leo, filling the air.
Selene gently asked Altair, “Are you feeling all right now? Your father’s here. You can go home with him if you want.”
Altair tapped out a message on his phone and showed it to her.
“I want to stay and have barbecue with Daph.”
Selene’s smile was warm and tender. She lowered her voice, “Are you sure you’re up for it? Maybe we could move to a private room and help you get used to the environment, step by step. There’s no need to push yourself all at once.”
Altair typed rapidly, “I want to give myself a chance.”
“Okay!” Selene agreed. Altair pulled away from her embrace and settled back into his seat.
Selene turned to Daph. “Altair wants you to stay and eat barbecue with him.”
Daph beamed and happily slid back into the seat beside Altair.
Only then did Selene address Leo. “Father, what brings you here?”
Annalise Johnston answered first. “Leo heard you brought Altair to a place like this, so he came in a hurry.”
She turned to Leo. “You should take Altair home. He’s not comfortable in this kind of environment.”
Leo’s gaze, icy and piercing, swept over Annalise Johnston. “I told you to keep your distance from Altair. If you refuse to listen, I can have you leave Aldonia right now.”
Annalise Johnston’s breath caught visibly at his words.
Selene watched the exchange with curiosity. Leo didn’t seem to harbor any true animosity toward Annalise Johnston, so why was he so determined to keep her away from Altair?
Annalise had claimed she was related to Altair by blood. But who was she to him, exactly?
Simon couldn’t help but protest on Annalise Johnston’s behalf. “Dr. Vaughn, why are you being so harsh to her? What did she ever do to you?”
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