ion bubble within him. His eyes narrowed as he confronted

peated, her tone laced with defiance. "You come over here, spout cheesy lines, a

deep breath, attempting to regain his composure. "Listen, I'm not gonna exchange word

evous smirk on her face. "What will you do?

ntinue trying to reason with her. After all, she

ned and walked away, determined not to

onto her seat and

red to the bartender, who chuckled at

**

xt mor

window, her head throbbing as she struggled

she wondered, realizing she had

umbled her way to the bathroom

ater on her face, attempting to wash away

red resurfaced in her mind, albeit hazy due to her intoxic

uttered unde

, wasting thoughts on a complete stranger who had annoyed her th

itful, cheati

hat she was s

ed in fru

of it made her he

her mothe

d a good time last night, because

responded, her confusio

re husband and in-laws,"

chel retort

replied, her voice l

and Dad understand? How could you even put me in such a

ther's face. It wasn't merely sadness; it seemed more like a profound sense of help

s..." Maria began, he

nterjected, concern evident in her

y about anything. Just get ready for tonight," Maria replied, forci

ss. Her mother was clearly hiding something, and Rachel couldn

uttered, the weight of her fru

ed, signaling a new messa

is afternoon? You'll never guess w

prospect of getting out of the house, even for a short while, was

" Rachel thought, a glimmer of hop