Chapter 171

Jason The bar was dimly lit, filled with the soft hum of conversations and the slow rhythm of jazz playing from hidden speakers. Rain tapped gently against the windows, matching the heaviness I carried inside me after the kind of day that seemed determined to go wrong from the very beginning. I sat across from Mike in our usual corner booth, staring blankly at the half-filled glass of red wine in front of me. My shoulders were tense, my mind exhausted, and every attempt Mike made to lighten the mood only drifted past me unnoticed.Mike, however, seemed distracted. His phone buzzed for what felt like the fifth time that evening, and when he glanced at the screen, his expression changed instantly. “It’s Clara,” Mike muttered before answering the call. He leaned slightly away from the table, lowering his voice, but not enough to stop my curiosity from growing.At first, I tried not to listen. I swirled the wine in my glass and focused on the rain outside, but fragments of the conver

Chapter 172

Clara I smiled softly as the thought slipped into my mind, unexpected yet impossible to ignore. It was one of those quiet moments where a simple idea suddenly feels important for no clear reason. I sat there wondering why Jason’s brother, Mike, would ever call me on the phone just to say he wanted to see me. The idea seemed strange, almost unreal, and that was exactly why it stayed in my head. The more I thought about it, the more curious I became, and my smile slowly widened without me even noticing. Mike and I had never been particularly close. We knew each other through Jason, shared a few conversations here and there, but nothing that would normally lead to a personal phone call. That was what made the thought so mysterious. I imagined my phone ringing unexpectedly, Mike’s name appearing on the screen, and his voice sounding calm but serious as he told me he wanted to see me. I wondered how I would respond at that moment. Would I act surprised? Would I laugh nervou

Chapter 173

Clara I had just returned home after a long and tiring day. The heat outside was unbearable, and all I could think about was getting something cold to drink. I walked straight into the kitchen and opened the fridge. A cool rush of air escaped as the light inside flickered on, revealing neatly arranged food containers, fruits, and several bottles lined up on the lower shelf. Without hesitation, I reached for a bottle of water covered in tiny droplets of condensation. It felt cold and refreshing in my hand.I twisted the cap open slowly, hearing the soft crack as the seal broke. At that moment, the sound alone felt satisfying. I lifted the bottle to my lips and drank deeply. The cold water flowed down my throat, instantly refreshing me and easing my exhaustion. For a few seconds, everything around me seemed calm and peaceful. I leaned slightly against the kitchen counter, enjoying the relief the water brought after such a stressful day.Just as I was about to take another sip, a su

Chapter 174

Jason The room felt smaller with every passing minute. The silence between us carried more weight than the words we were trying to avoid. I finally looked around and said quietly, “We need to leave this place. I need to rest.” My voice sounded tired, almost defeated, as though the walls themselves had drained all the energy from me. The atmosphere was uncomfortable, and staying there any longer did not feel right. I wondered if bringing someone else into the situation would make things easier, so I asked, “Or do you want Clara to come here?”Mike hesitated before answering. His expression changed, and it was clear he had already thought about it. “I asked Mike,” someone had said earlier, and now he finally explained his response. “No,” Mike replied firmly. He paused for a moment before continuing, “I’m not sure she will like you to be here.” His words were not cruel, but they carried uncertainty and caution. It was obvious he was trying to avoid conflict or discomfort, especi

Chapter 175

Clara My phone rang suddenly, breaking the quiet atmosphere around me. I quickly reached for it and checked the screen to see who was calling. For a moment, I hoped it was Mike, and indeed, his name appeared on the screen. I answered immediately, curious about why he was calling at that time. Mike sounded serious but calm as he spoke. Mike told me that he wanted me to come over to Jason’s place so we could talk about something important. From the tone of his voice, I could tell that the discussion mattered to him, and he seemed eager for us to meet as soon as possible.I paused for a few seconds before responding. Although I understood his request, I did not feel comfortable going all the way to Jason’s place. I explained this politely to Mike and told him that I could not come to Jason’s house for us to meet there. I wanted us to have the conversation in a place that would be more convenient and comfortable for both of us. Instead of rejecting the meeting completely, I suggeste

Chapter 178

Jason I asked Mike what Clara had said over the phone. Mike explained that he had already warned him about Clara’s behavior.Mike said that Clara was stubborn and would not agree to the offer that had been presented to her. According to Mike, Clara was firm in her decision and unwilling to change her mind despite attempts to persuade her.The conversation suggests that there had been negotiations or discussions involving Clara, and the offer was important to the people involved. However, Clara did not accept it because she strongly believed in her own position. Mike’s statement shows that he was not surprised by her reaction. He seemed convinced that Clara’s personality made it difficult for her to compromise or follow what others expected of her.My question also indicates curiosity and concern about the outcome of the phone conversation. He wanted to know Clara’s exact response and whether there was any possibility that she would reconsider the offer. Mike’s made it clear that