Kiara noticed that Galen was eager to please the men at the table but remained aloof towards Ava, and if one didn't know his background, it would be hard to imagine the vast disparity between their family histories. It was this overwhelming feeling of being overshadowed that had damaged Ava's self-esteem and confidence.
"Kiara, you study Psychology, don't you?" Susi spoke up when she felt the time was right.
"Yes, that's right."
"So have you studied how choice of spouse can affect personality?" Susi and Kiara had arranged this question in advance.
Ava wasn't paying attention to the dinner at this point; she was in great discomfort. The man was still the same, but he felt totally different. Before, when she looked at Galen, she thought he was like a lotus, unsoiled by the mud, full of ideals and aspirations, a man of integrity. But after hearing Kiara's words, all that beauty seemed to be cast in shadow, and she felt vague and disinterested in everything, her gaze empty.
