Rose's POV

Finally, after forever, our food arrived. The server placed the dishes before us, and in a quiet lull, the sound of forks on dishes alone seemed to fill the room. I bit into a bite, trying not to notice that persistent feeling that resided in the bottom of my abdomen.

"Rose," she repeated softly, her tone calming, "truly I do care about you. I've known Victor for a long time, so I do understand what kind of person he is. And I can see that he does care about you." She hesitated, ...