Unexpected 1

Elice was now twenty-nine years old. She was no longer a teenage girl easily swayed by the sweet words of a man. Life experiences and a difficult journey had shaped her heart. No man's words could be trusted. Not even Garrett.

Elice had proven it. She had even accused him without blinking an eye. That he was using her and working with Ariel. Even though in reality it was an empty accusation. Garrett was not who she thought he was. But Elice realized how her thoughts about men had changed. There was no longer an Elice who thought positively. There was only Elice who tried to be careful.

Elice knew that she had to protect herself. She could not rely on anyone. Especially not on a man she had not even known for a year.

"I knew you wouldn't believe me."

Garrett spoke calmly. He did not seem surprised by Elice's reaction. There was a frown on his forehead, a hint of a disbelieving smile and a subtle snort.

"And I'm not going to ask you to trust me," Gar