It wasn''t that Vespera didn''t like him. It was because she knew too well that there would be no good ending. And knowing that, how could she allow herself to fall for him?


    Even in horror movies, the protagonists fought tooth and nail just to survive till the end. But here she was, treating a love story like a doomsday film, showing not even a shred of will to wrvive.


    And yet, it wasn''t as if she had lost the ability to feel something.


    "I''m getting a drink" Reba was annoyed and had no idea what to say, so she tumed and hurried into the kitchen.


    Vespera made her way to the couch. Maybe it was just her imagination, but she thought she heard footsteps outside again.


    She paused, listening carefully. Nothing.


    Her mind was still probably reeling from earlier, tricking her with phantom sounds.


    Reba returned quickly from the kitchen, holding a couple of chilled beers. "Alright then, let him go on his blind date if he wants. Vera, you shine perfectly fine


    Vespera epted the beer Reba handed to her. She opened it, took a sap, and let her fingers glide across the beads of condensation.


    If I''m being honest, he''s a good man. In every way. But for someone with his background, his marriage was never going to be his choice. He has


    responsibilities he can''t just ignore," Vespera sald.


    "You sure didn''t think like that when it came to Luke..."


    Realizing she had veered dangerously close to bringing up that bastard, Reba quickly switched tracks. "Anyway, didn''t you once swear to me that Mr. Reid was Into men? You were unabout it."


    “Uh... There might''ve been a bit of a misunderstanding." Vaspora hesitated, clearly unsure. She didn''t believe she had the kind of charm to tum a gay man straight


    She cautiously threw out another possibility. "Maybe he swings both ways." Reba looked at her with her beer in hand, dumbfounded.


    The two stared at each other.


    Then, unable to hold it in any longer, Reba gave her a smack "Bisexual, myass! Mr. Beid is the cold, restrained, emotionally unavable type, alright? Don''t go wrecking the image I''ve built up in my head!"


    Vespera dodged her smack. "You could''ve just said that-why hit me?"


    They wrestled around for a bit before copsing back onto the couch, sipping their beer.


    Suddenly,Reba sat up with a jolt. "ch, right! I was just about to let you hear this brand-new recording. It''s crazy, I swear


    "Please don''t tell me it''s something gross. I just ate and don''t want to throw up," Vespera quipped.


    Reba said, "What do you take me for? I wouldn''t show you something like that. But speaking of that, Luke was acting weird.


    "Earlier, Tina tried to sleep with him, but he seemed disgusted. If you didn''t know any better, you''d think he had been forced to sleep with her


    "Why is he acting like this now? He wasn''t like that before, right?


    What was he like before?


    Vespera''s thoughts wandered. She tried to remember, but everything was blurry now. That handsome and slightly overbearing boy from before felt like someone froma previous life.


    "Well, it makes sense. Spend a year tied to a lunatic, and some of that crazy is bound to rub off "


    "True" Reba nodded in agreement.


    She pulled out her phone and yed the recording for Vespera. It was a private conversation between Tina and Felicia, recorded after dinner at the Munoz residence earlier.


    The two had gone out to the garden for a walk At first, there was no talking and just the soft sound of footsteps.


    After awhile. Tina spoke first, Her tone was sweet and gentle as she said, "Mom, can you talk to Lobo for me?


    "Ask him to treat me better. He''s been so cold to metely. I''m really hurting."


    Felicia responded in a weary, detached voice. "How he treats you isn''t something


    I can control. If you feel wronged, you don''t have to marry him."


    There was a moment oflence.


    When Tina spoke again, hertone was low and cold "Are you sure you want to treat me this way? it start feeling wronged, I''ll get upset.


    "And if I''m upset, I might start saying things I shouldn''t. That man you''ve been keeping on the side-pretty sure Henry would love to hear about him. And the mistress he keeps abroad? She''s dying to rece you.


    "Her son''s 19 years old now, right? Just the right age toe home and start fighting his big brother for the Inheritance. Once that happens, your position will be


    "And everything that should''ve belonged to Luke? You''ll be handing it over to them."


    Felicia''s voice trembled in shock. "Tina, you already schemed and stole Lake from Vespera. How can you still be trying to hurt him?"


    Tina responded, "I''m not trying to hurt him. I love him. You''re the one hurting him.


    If you won''t help me, you''re the one putting him in danger."


    The sheer absurdity of that logic left Felicia momentarily speechless


    After a long pause, Felicia gritted her teeth and said bitterly, "Don''t forget, you''re


    not pregnant. I helped you lie, and I vouched for your story.


    "If you say a single word out of line, I''ll tell Luke the truth immediately."


    together. Let''s see who crashes and burns first-you or me."


    "Great," Tina said with augh that sent chills down the spine. "We''ll go tell him to


    "You... You''re insane! Felicia''s voice shook with fury and fear.


    Even through the recording, the terror and despair in her voice were crystal clear


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