Chapter 70: Hot Soup
Time seemed to freeze as the bowl of hot minestrone soup slid off the tray, tipping directly toward Cassandra. The scalding liquid splashed across her pale forearm, and she let out a startled cry.
“Oh my god!” Callum jumped up instantly, panic flashing across his face. “Are you okay?”
Cassandra automatically pulled back, but she wasn’t fast enough to avoid the soup completely. The hot liquid had already soaked through the sleeve of her light blue sundress, leaving an angry red stain spreading across the fabric.
“I’m so incredibly sorry, miss!” The waiter’s face had gone pale with horror. He frantically grabbed napkins from the table, offering them to Cassandra. “Please, let me help—”
“It’s fine,” Cassandra said, though her voice was tight with pain. She pressed the napkins against her arm, wincing slightly.
Callum was already on his feet, hovering over her with concern etched into every line of his face. “Let me see, Cass. You might need burn cream.”
He reached for her arm, gently pushing up her sleeve to check the damage. I watched as the wet fabric slid up, revealing angry red skin underneath—but something else caught my eye. Just below her elbow was what looked like a dark mark or scar. It was partially hidden, but I could make out what appeared to be four leg-like lines, almost like part of an animal.
Cassandra noticed my gaze and quickly tugged her sleeve back down. “It’s really nothing,” she insisted, her movements just a little too hurried.
“Are you sure?” Sophia asked. “That soup was steaming hot. We should at least get some ice on it.”
The commotion had drawn attention from nearby tables. A harried-looking woman rushed over, pulling two sheepish children behind her.
“I am so sorry,” she began, her tone irritated. “My boys were supposed to be—” She stopped abruptly when her eyes landed on me, her expression shifting instantly. “Oh! I didn’t realize—I’m so sorry for not watching my kids better. Come on, boys, let’s go.”