Elena’s POV

For several seconds after the man across from me calmly declared he was choosing a wife, I simply stared at him.

The restaurant around us seemed unusually quiet. The clink of cutlery and the low murmur of other diners faded into the background as I tried to determine whether he was serious or simply mocking me.

His expression gave nothing away.

Just as I was about to respond, the restaurant manager hurried toward our table with an apologetic smile.

“I’m very sorry, ...