Viya's POV
"Yeah, just adoptive father."Something ignited in my chest. I took a deep breath, desperately trying to suppress the suffocating feeling in my ribcage, the effort making the corners of my eyes redden.
Just as I was about to speak again, Elias intervened. "Julian, we've eaten enough. Take Viya home."
"Professor, Elena..." I looked apologetically at Elena.
She gently patted my back. "It's alright, dear. Listen to Elias."
Julian was surprised by the revelation of my relationship with Caesar but understood this wasn't the time for questions. He stood up and guided me toward the door. "Come on, I'll take you home."
"Thank you, Julian."
Once in the car, merged into the flowing traffic, the hustle and bustle of downtown gradually dispersed the thickness of the ni
