As Jessica and Emily joined Damon and Lilian on the dining table, Jessica greeted Lilian pleasantly and murmured a good morning to Damon.
Without sparing so much as a glance at her, Damon murmured a response and then focused his attention on Emily who was chattering happily as usual.
As they ate, Damon didn't look her way once, nor did he offer her a single word, not even a casual nod. Instead, his attention was reserved solely for his mother and Emily, making small talk about mundane topics— plans for the day, the weather, anything but Jessica.
Jessica stole a glance at him as her mind drifted to the previous night, to his words and the unsettling tone he'd used.
Was this silence part of his plan? Was this what he meant when he said he would stay out of her way and she could avoid him?
