A delightful night.

As he turned to face me, I rose from my seat, consumed by anger.

"Victoria, your capacity for emotional expression is what I detest," he remarked. I retorted, my fury palpable,

"Do you wish to transform me into a monster like yourself?" He casually resumed his meal, smirking in response.

"Monster, you say? Why employ such a term? Are your nerves beginning to fray?" I slowly sank back into my chair, bewildered by my sudden outburst.

"Victoria, are you well? Remember, you were addressing Brendon, not some random individual," Rina inquired anxiously. I closed my eyes and sighed, realizing my vexation was due to Josephine's fabricated soulmate. Although Josephine had surpassed the age of discovering her mate, I remained optimistic that she would eventually find him. I merely hoped he would not prove to be ineffectual.

"I apologize for my outburst. I did not intend to label you a monster. I was simply frustrated with everything," I pleaded, averting my gaze as he held a glass of wine.