After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage By Cassila K

Chapter 48

Luke stared at me, caught off guard by my reaction.

"Those photos... Mandy was exhausted from trying on dresses, so I just helped out. It's not what you're thinking. You know about her brother. I promised him I'd watch over her. I just wanted to see how the dresses looked on her."

I listened silently, seeing no point in challenging his flimsy excuses.

Mandy's brother, John, had been one of Luke's closest friends.

Back then, Luke was struggling to launch his business, facing countless obstacles.

John had brought him a USB drive, but never made it home - a car accident took his life.

By the time they rushed him to the hospital, nothing could be done.

With his last breath, he'd made Luke swear to look after Mandy.

And Luke had honored that promise with remarkable dedication.

It started innocently enough – occasional check-ins that evolved into deep

every aspect

sharply, knowing that in a matter of days,

reason to hold anything back

think you and Mandy would make a perfect

palm against my cheek echoed through the

with you? Mandy sees me as her brother. Unlike

who

cheek burned where

wasn't like

was just Luke's convenient plaything, available

Stonoha

up as I caught a flash of regret cross his

His voice softened.

"I didn't mean that..."

I felt a surge of courage ready to lay everything

"Luke, I'm getting m—"

phone's ringtone cut through