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 of

in a matter of days, I'd be

to hold

worry about any misunderstandings. Actually, I think you and

against my cheek echoed through

wrong with you? Mandy sees me

who throws

cheek burned where he'd

Mandy wasn't like

just Luke's convenient plaything, available

Stonoha

welled up as I caught a

His voice softened.

"I didn't mean that..."

I felt a surge of courage ready to lay

"Luke, I'm getting m—"

ringtone cut through the