When She Rose From the Ashes

322 Old Flames and New Resolve

“I didn’t come here to drink tea,” Natalie said coolly.

100

+6 Free Coin

“I know,” Jensen replied, “but we were together for over five years, and I never once brewed tear for you. Just this once–give me the chance. If you do, no matter what you ask of me afterward, I’ll agree.”

His words only deepened Natalie’s disgust.

“So this is a bargain now?”

Jensen’s hand paused mid–motion.

“How could it be a bargain? Natalie, must we really speak to each other like this?”

Natalie didn’t bother answering.

She turned her head, gazing out at the busy traffic outside the window.

Her heart worried for Baron. She didn’t know how he was doing, whether anyone was giving him trouble.

Jensen noticed her drifting thoughts and felt an ache of disappointment, though he kept it to himself.

With a smile he asked, “Do you want red tea or black tea?”

“Either one is fine.”

him too

had already decided. If she said red, he’d insist black was better

never

back to countless such moments, Natalie almost laughed at

man this controlling never allowed disobedience. In those five years

of his past act of saving her,

1/3

14:39 Fri, Oct 3

Old Flames and

anything.

(100)

+5 Free Coins

for his lies, maybe her entire life would have been

free. Thank

strong too, but never with

he was like a loyal golden retriever, constantly seeking

of him warmed

her sun, chasing away the darkness in

been about to complain about her indifference, but then he caught sight of the faint smile curving her

long–so long–since he’d seen

pang shot through his

they had spent years together, their true moments as a

never liked going out, and he had allowed it, partly because she was once an unwanted orphan, while he was

his status in the company rose, so did his sensitivity

to go out, he never invited.

first, he would bring her little gifts to cheer her up. But slowly, even that effort

seen her smile like this. Two years