Chapter 15

• Darius:
• After leaving the mall, I decided dinner was the perfect way to end the evening. Cyrus deserved to unwind a bit more, and I enjoyed watching him relax. We stopped at a cozy Italian restaurant that had a quiet, intimate vibe. Cyrus chose spaghetti, his eyes lighting up when the steaming plate of pasta was set before him. I opted for a perfectly cooked steak and ordered a rich chocolate dessert for both of us to share afterward.
• Cyrus twirled the spaghetti around his fork, a soft smile tugging at his lips as he ate. He occasionally glanced at me, his cheeks pink every time our eyes met. His panda plushie, which he’d named Jayjay, was tucked safely on the seat beside him. I found myself smiling at the sight. He looked so at ease, so comfortable, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride for creating a space where he felt safe enough to just be himself.