บททั้งหมดของ When love turns to ashes : บทที่ 21 - บทที่ 30

Late evening. Audrey’s office, perched atop the Asika Global building, glowed with city lights. She dismissed her assistant and leaned back in her chair, checking her phone. A firm knock. Footsteps approaching. She shrugged on her usual confident smile.Xander Reeve walked in, composed and focused. He closed the door behind him. The buzz of the city dimmed.Xander (coolly): Who do we have in my office, huh?Audrey (tilting her head): Mr. Xander good to see you. But let's cut the pleasantries.Xander walked around the desk, folding his arms, eyes sharp and unwavering.Xander: My source says you’re behind the press leak pics, rumors, scandal. So I’m here for one reason: step away from June. Stay out of her life.Audrey let a laugh spill light, mocking, confident.Audrey: Oh, and if I don’t? What then, Xander? You’ll… what restrain me?She took a slow step forward, undermining his authority deliberately.Xander: Don’t pretend you don’t know. You orchestrated every leak, every photo spin.

June stood in front of her mirror, gazing at her reflection as a rare calmness settled over her. For the first time in weeks, she felt the anticipation of something other than war. No scandal to manage, no betrayal to survive just dinner. A moment. A man. And the possibility of something new.She chose a soft, off-shoulder cream blouse that hugged her collarbone delicately and paired it with high-waisted jeans that flattered her silhouette. It was casual but elegant effortless yet intentional. Her hair was swept back into a simple ponytail, soft waves cascading down her shoulders.She dabbed on her favorite perfume Amber Rose & Honey the one Larry always told her made her smell like heaven, but tonight, she wasn’t wearing it for a memory. She was wearing it for herself.And maybe… a little for Xander.Just then, her doorbell rang.June peered through the peephole and smiled. A well-dressed driver stood politely at her door. “Miss June? Mr. Xander sent me to pick you up.”She grabbed h

Xander stood in the middle of his living room, his mind spiraling in chaos, his heart pounding against the walls of his chest like a caged animal. The atmosphere had shifted from the laughter of moments ago to a chilling silence that now hung like fog around him. June had left… stormed out… slapped him and he couldn’t even blame her.His fingers twitched as he ran both hands through his thick hair, pacing the floor like a man caught between loyalty and guilt. Then, without warning, he let out a sharp grunt and kicked the corner of the mahogany coffee table.“Damn it!” he hissed through clenched teeth, limping backward as pain surged through his toe. “You’re foolish, Xander. Stupid. She was falling for you and now she’s gone.”The sting of her slap still echoed in his mind, but what hit harder was the regret in her eyes. The betrayal. She had trusted him enough to come over… and he blew it. It wasn’t just about the kiss it was the timing. The pressure. His own impatience.He turned tow

The he sky was gray and low, with heavy clouds looming as if nature itself was holding its breath. The quiet street in front of June’s house was still, save for the quiet hum of a sleek black car pulling up to the curb. The door opened, and out stepped Xander Hayes, dressed in a tailored navy-blue coat, holding a bouquet of soft pink peonies and white roses in trembling hands.His jaw clenched as he stood at the doorstep, eyes fixed on the door like it was a gate to both salvation and doom.“You can do this,” he whispered to himself, adjusting the collar of his coat and clearing his throat. “Just make her see you're sorry. Make her feel safe. Make her… fall.”He took a deep breath and knocked.A minute passed. Then two. He considered walking away until he heard soft footsteps approach from the other side. The door creaked open just enough for June to peek through.Her eyes narrowed the moment she saw him.Xander offered a weak, apologetic smile and held up the bouquet. “I… I wasn’t su

June curled up on her couch, a soft blanket over her legs and a glass of white wine in her hand. Her phone lay on speaker beside her, and the comforting voice of her best friend, Amara, filtered through, echoing the concern only someone who truly cared could carry.“So…” Amara’s voice trailed dramatically, “you’re really saying he asked you to be his girlfriend?”June exhaled a dreamy sigh. “Yes. He did. Last night.”“Okay, don’t keep me in suspense. Spill it all. What happened?”June smiled despite herself, staring at the bracelet on her wrist—silver, delicate, inscribed with words that had haunted her all day: "For every scar, a story. And you, June, are poetry."“He set up this… this beautiful rooftop dinner. It felt like something out of a movie, Amara. Candlelight, city lights, soft music, and he cooked too—well, hired a chef, but you get the idea.”“Hmm… classic seduction move.”“Stop it,” June giggled, blushing even though she was alone. “He was sweet. Thoughtful. Present. He a