My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 48: A Table for Four

Soft jazz played in the background, blending into the cozy, upscale vibe of the VVIP dining room. Tucked away behind wood panels and frosted glass, the space felt private and calm. Everything—from the gold light fixtures to the crisp white tablecloths—gave off a quiet kind of luxury, the kind that didn’t need to show off.

Katherine sat stiffly in her seat, the supple leather cushion cold against her back. Her fingers curled around the stem of her glass as she offered a polite smile to Paula, who sat beside her. Across from them, Claudio and Leonard took their seats—Claudio across from Paula, and Leonard across from Katherine.

Paula reached over, gently brushing Katherine’s forearm. "We’re so glad you agreed to come out today," she said, her warm brown eyes glowing with easy friendliness. "It gets so boring just sitting at home, don’t you think?"

Claudio chuckled and leaned forward, propping his elbows on the table. "We figured we should all get to know each other better. Tonight’s like... bonding time." He shot a quick glance at Leonard, who was unreadable, his expression carved from cool stone. "Right, Leo?"

Leonard gave a faint nod, not quite looking up from the glass of untouched water in front of him. "Sure."

Katherine’s smile tightened slightly, her gaze flicking toward Leonard. He hadn’t said more than a handful of words since she arrived. Even now, his posture was relaxed but distant, like he was present only out of obligation. His gaze was directed somewhere past her shoulder, as if refusing to acknowledge her entirely.

Is it because of me? she wondered, her stomach knotting slightly.

She wasn’t blind. The moment she’d stepped foot inside Claudio’s grand estate earlier and saw Leonard standing near his brother, there’d been an undeniable tension in the air. Not quite hostility, but something strained. Uncomfortable.

She hadn’t even known he’d be there. Maybe he hadn’t known she’d be coming, either.

And this—today—marked their first real encounter since she’d had that strange, crazy meeting with Winston Ford. The man who’d coldly informed her about her supposed engagement. Since then, she’d only spoken with Claudio and Paula. It was honestly ridiculous. She had met her future in-laws before she even properly met her future husband.

That thought made her face heat up again.

God. Isn’t this basically a double date?

She inwardly cursed her own imagination as her cheeks turned a warm pink. She reached for her menu and buried her nose in it for cover.

"I’m starving," Paula declared dramatically, flipping through the options. "They have that foie gras risotto you like, Claudio."

"I’m feeling more steak," Claudio replied, resting an arm behind Paula’s chair. "Kath, you’ve got to try their sea bass. It’s legendary."

Katherine glanced up, startled at the use of the nickname. "Oh. Okay. Um, that sounds good."

Paula beamed at her. "Perfect choice. It’s not too heavy."

Leonard quietly passed his menu to the waiter without saying a word. He hadn’t glanced at Katherine once since sitting down.

The waiter collected the rest of their menus, nodded courteously, and disappeared behind the double doors, leaving them alone with the low hum of music and the soft clinking of glasses from nearby rooms.

Claudio launched easily into conversation, telling a story about an overambitious intern who’d accidentally scheduled a board meeting and a cocktail mixer on the same floor.

Katherine smiled, chuckling along, though she only offered comments here and there. It was hard to focus with Leonard so still, so silent, across from her.

She chanced a glance at him again.

He sat with one arm resting casually on the table, the other draped across his lap. He had that sharp jaw, but his face gave nothing away, so calm—too calm. He was dressed in a simple but perfectly tailored charcoal-gray shirt, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, collar slightly open. Under different circumstances, she might’ve found him magnetic. But right now?

He felt miles away.

She wondered what he was thinking. If he regretted coming. If he wanted to say something but chose not to. Her heart squeezed painfully.

The meal arrived before long—artfully plated dishes laid out with precision. Katherine murmured her thanks and lowered her gaze, suddenly hyper-aware of how quiet Leonard was still being.

Maybe this had been a mistake.

Maybe she should’ve said no to Paula’s invitation.

When the plates were cleared and the final sips of wine were poured, Leonard finally shifted in his seat.

"Excuse me," he said, his voice low. "Restroom." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Katherine looked up just in time to see him rise smoothly, turning without another word.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Paula let out a sharp gasp and smacked her forehead.

"Oh no."

Claudio straightened. "What’s wrong?"

"I completely forgot—I’m supposed to pick up my friend from the airport," Paula said, scrambling to her feet. "Her flight lands in twenty minutes and she doesn’t know anyone else in the city."

Katherine blinked. "Wait, right now?"

"Yes!" Paula groaned, snatching her purse. "She’s going to kill me."

Claudio was already getting up. "I’ll drive you. Come on, babe."

Katherine started to stand as well, grabbing her bag. "I can call a cab—"

But Paula gently pushed her back down by the shoulders.

"No, no, no. Stay. Leonard will be back in just a minute."

Katherine’s eyes widened. "But—"

"Don’t worry he’ll give you a ride," Paula said, giving her an apologetic smile. "Sorry! I really do need to go."

Claudio threw her a thumbs up. "Maybe you guys can use this chance to know each other more. Good luck, Kath!"

And with that, they both disappeared out the door in a whirl of designer coats and rushed goodbyes.

The room fell quiet.

Katherine stared at the door.

Then at the empty seats across from her.

Her mouth fell open slightly. Her pulse picked up.

Wait. Did they just... leave me?

Her eyes slowly shifted to Leonard’s vacant chair.

She was alone.

Alone with him.

Her heart thudded in her chest, too loud in the quiet room.

Her hands folded tightly in her lap, knuckles whitening as she swallowed hard.

Did they really just leave her here... alone... with Leonard?