[Eleanora POV]
The strawberry shortcake sat between them. A delicate tower of sponge, cream, and fresh berries glistening under the soft pink lights of the cafe.
The air smelled sweet, almost too sweet. But it was the kind of place people went to pretend life was simpler than it really was.
Eleanora watched as Kyle picked up his fork, hesitating for just a second before digging in.
His expression didn't change much. He wasn't the type to show excitement over dessert.
But she knew him well enough to catch the subtle signs. A small, satisfied hum escaped him as the sweetness hit his tongue.
His shoulders relaxed just a fraction, and his fingers curled slightly around the fork, like he was savoring the moment.
'The same reaction.'
That little noise.
The way he held himself.
It was all so him.
The same Kyle from her past life.
And yet…
She traced the rim of her teacup with her fingertip, her mind racing.
Something was different.
It had happened during the spar with Cedric.
