how shameless a man could be. Her expression

watch what you say

p. With a slight frown, he scoffed. "Since you don

hirt hanging over the chair, slipped i

een his fingers. Leaning against the wall, he looked at he

und a place

hand. "Could you please keep your friend in check? Acting li

er's features. He exhaled lazily

d get ahead

, "Whether you're teasing me or being serious,

, the light in Ash

rag from his cigarette, and then

is eyes at her and said, "Then I suppos

s use

m was listenin

n, Verena turned to leave. As she left, Asher stopped h

than

don't run b

der a rid

town will cost at l

a pau

ally earnest expression. "Relax. I'll behave

emained

I'll shower and change

lity forced Ver

ount. That money could buy her s

truly kept his promise. He

front of her apartment

Just as Verena entered the lobby, a famili

d and her heart

breath and slowl

treetlight stood a man

embered, and his handsome face s

e man she had secretly

tapped her forehead and scolded her affectionately. "Vera, you came back to our hometown

and replied indifferently, "I'v

He frowned slightly. "Vera, you've changed.

sounding distant. "You're engaged now. I th

e instantly b

g invitation. "My wedding is on the fifteenth of next month. I hope you'll come.

lt her he

from another state just to gi

ped the invitation tightly. "If ther

t bring myself to reject you completely. But I also never wanted to take that final step and make things official... Vera, our backgrounds are too similar. You can't offer any support for my career. Life would be difficult if we were together. Bu

na's ears, yet she felt nothi

known al

xed signals had fooled her into

his backup, someone to provide emotional co

hough it were being crushed, he

wish you a happy marriage

into the distance did the tears she had be

fe, Vince had shown up like a ray of

ys come after dark. Now she understood

rs of love possib

er. Just as she was about to turn around,

d found Asher standi

s hand and gently brushed away t

pe? Doesn't seem a

d away and put some d

main calm, refusing to let him see her weakness. "Listening

t a phone toward her. "You left this

Thank you. Sorry for the trou

ren

es

t stared quietly into her

na caught a glimpse of a s

hirlpool, powerful enough

t he wanted to say something, b

steps came from the stairwell, and a

but he was rather short, b

nd a fur coat, looking like someone who had s

ad passed, Verena reco

na Barnes, who was thre

d always ordered Verena around like her

ege in Zepvine. After graduation, she became a teacher and married a ci

everyone praised he

rena from head to toe. Then she said with obvious sarcasm, "You disappeared

onless and paid no atten

an beside her. "This is my husband, Theo Green. He works for the governm

replied calmly

ker. He simply nodded and

d the tall man stan

imposing aura that nat

ed that his clothes had clearly been washed man

sion. This man looked poor, and there was

ht this be?"

chance to answer,

brief pause, he added casua