8. An Offer 1

Lucas let Velia hold his hand. Instead of resisting, he moved closer to her.

Lucas's face looked down faintly. He tried to meet Velia's lifted and gazing eyes.

For a moment, Lucas felt his mind go blank. Then something crossed his mind.

“Come back to me, Ve. And I’ll give your job back.”

As expected, Lucas's words startled Velia. Lucas held onto the pain that surged, squeezing his heart. Velia reacted as if she did not want to be close to him again.

What have I done to make you hate me like this, Ve?

Velia's lips turned pale, and she trembled. Her grip on Lucas's hand loosened. She stepped back, shaking her head.

“It's impossible.”

Lucas glanced briefly at Velia's hand that let go of his. It brought bitterness to his throat, and he swallowed it hard.

“Maybe it is. You want your job back, and I want you back. We can use this to our advantage.”

“I have truly forgotten about you, Luc. I don't love you anymore.”

Lucas clenched his jaw tightly. “Did I say I wanted your love?”

“W