I didn’t.
Because at that exact moment, the kitchen doors opened.
The executive chef stepped into the dining room.
He was an older man with silver hair and a spotless white coat.
He was speaking with the restaurant manager when his eyes suddenly landed on me.
He stopped.
Then he stared.
“Mrs. Hayes?”
Claire turned.
The chef walked toward me.
His expression changed from surprise to something almost emotional.
He ignored Claire.
Ignored her parents.
Ignored Ethan.
He stopped beside my chair and quietly said:
“Ma’am… why didn’t anyone tell me you were here?”
The entire table went silent.
Claire forced a laugh.
“You know Eleanor?”
The chef slowly turned toward her.
Then he noticed the empty place setting in front of me.
Only a glass of water.
His face hardened.
“Yes,” he said.
“I know exactly who she is.”
He looked toward the waiter.
“Has Mrs. Hayes been served?”
The waiter hesitated.
Claire immediately answered.
“She wasn’t hungry.”
The chef looked at me.
I shook my head.
“I was waiting for everyone else.”
He looked back at Claire.
Then at Ethan.
