could you please stop licking?

★★★★★

"Actually..." Jasmine parted her mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by Dante. "Dad, try it, it’s yummy!" he said excitedly, holding out his ice cream.

Damon glanced at Jasmine before turning to his son. "I don’t like ice cream," he replied flatly.

Jasmine shifted her attention to Dante, hoping to ease the tension between him and his mother. "What about your mother?" she asked, simultaneously, making it clear to the shopkeeper that she wasn’t Dante’s mother.

"She is not—" Dante began to clarify, but Cindy’s voice cut him off.

"Since I maintain a strict diet, I usually avoid sugar," Cindy interjected, her words laced with a strong taunt. "You wouldn't understand."

Jasmine turned around and faced Cindy with a smile. "Yes, I won't understand," she said, her smile unwavering. She crossed over to a seat with her ice cream, Dante following close behind. Before settling in, he looked back at Cindy. "She’s an actress and quite popular!" he announced proudly, then joined Jasmine