116. Heart-to-Heart

"Could you hand me the cup?" Lia requests, her tone calm and composed. Lia glanced up from her book, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. "I already asked you twice, Damon. Can you please pass me the cup?" she said, her tone tinged with exasperation. Damon blinked, his mind slowly returning to the present as he registered Lia's words. "Oh, sorry," he replied, reaching for the cup and handing it to her. "I guess I got lost in thought for a moment there." Lia observed Damon closely, noting the distant look in his eyes and the tension in his posture. "You seem off lately, Damon," she remarked, her voice filled with concern. Damon forced a smile, his attempt at reassurance falling short. "I'm fine, Lia," he replied, his tone strained. "Just a lot of work on my mind, that's all." Lia's brow furrowed with skepticism, her intuition telling her otherwise. She wanted to press him for more details, to unravel the mystery of his troubled demeanor, but she sensed his reluctance to s