Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 10

The Cassian Stone standing before me was… deeply unsettling, at least to me.He was wearing a hollowed-out apron, leaving just enough of his chest exposed to be teasing to the eyes. The cut of the apron framed his pectorals perfectly. He was flaunting the kind of view that could tempt even the most indifferent woman to step closer and "take a better look."Well, any other woman would, but I couldn't because I was Cassian's ex-girlfriend. As if things weren't awkward enough, I had been the one to dump him."The water's gone cold. I'll heat it again."His gaze swept over me, the corners of his eyes faintly red. If I had taken a closer look, I would've noticed a hidden flash of hurt filled with resentment. I would've noticed that it was as if he were accusing me of being heartless.Before I could respond, Cassian carried the still-steaming cup back into the kitchen.I licked my dry lips and turned to his younger brother, Elias Stone, who was currently my student. "Elias, could you g

I held my phone, unsure whether I should hang up on my mother or explain myself to him. Meanwhile, Cassian just stood there with his red rimmed eyes, looking at me without saying a word.I knew that look all too well. He had looked at me the exact same way when I ended things with him five years ago.The only difference was that he had worn a white shirt buttoned all the way to the top, standing straight and composed like an icicle. Now, two of his buttons were undone, his hair slightly messy. With those reddened eyes, he easily cut through my defenses.I instinctively tried to hang up, but my finger slipped and hit the wrong spot. As a result, the speaker volume only got louder."Gwen! Are you still there? Sharon helped me get in touch with him. He works at a bank, and his family owns three properties—""Mom!" I finally turned off the speaker and pressed the phone tightly to my ear. "I'm in the middle of a home visit. I'll talk to you later.""Home visit! It's always a home visi

I forced a smile. "I see. But what does that have to do with me?"Elias stomped his foot in frustration. "Ms. Briarwood! You can't just give up! I've even given up my snacks for Cass' happiness. So, how can you quit halfway?""For his happiness?" I eyed him skeptically. "Weren't you doing it for your confiscated chips?"Elias choked for a second before puffing his chest righteously as he declared, "This is a two birds with one stone situation!"I couldn't help laughing at his honesty, but I felt somewhat ridiculous after my laughter died. After all, here I was, a 26-year-old woman, standing here discussing how to win back a high school freshman's older brother.But who was I to win him back? I was the one who dumped him back then. I wasn't that shameless to even think about winning him back, much less ask him to start over!Besides, the woman standing next to him, this Felicity Collins, looked like a perfect wife candidate. She had a good family background, was beautiful, and had

Cassian was 31 now, but the way his eyes turned red and hurt was somehow even harder to bear than it had been back then."You're right," he said softly. "We're barely acquainted."Then, he turned and walked away.I watched his back as he left. The sunlight was bright, stretching his shadow long across the ground. I couldn't help but notice that the way he walked hadn't changed. His back was ramrod straight, each of his steps measured and steady despite his emotional turmoil.I used to find that dull and boring, thinking it made him look more like a machine running on a fixed rhythm. Only now did I realize that it had been the only constant in a world full of uncertainty.My eyes finally began to sting.My phone buzzed. It was a message from Elias."Ms. Briarwood! I was hiding nearby and saw the whole thing! How could you say you barely know each other? You obviously still like my brother!"I was about to reply when a second message came through."You know what? Screw this! My

"I—""Ms. Briarwood, come on! He's calling your name again!"The call cut off.I stood at the entrance of StarBeans, the evening wind rushing against my face.My brain told me I shouldn't go. It'd be absurd for an ex-girlfriend to show up at her ex-boyfriend's house in the middle of the night. Yet, my legs had already betrayed me by the time I came to my senses, carrying me toward the destination my heart was dead set on going to.…20 minutes later, I found myself standing outside Cassian's house, slightly out of breath whilst holding a bag of fever medicine and cooling patches in my hand.The door opened just a crack before Elias peeked out and yanked me inside in one swift motion."Ms. Briarwood, you're finally here! Cass is in the bedroom! I'll get you some water. No, I mean, I'm off to do my homework. You two take your time!"Then, he promptly dashed back into his room and slammed the door shut.I stood in the living room, staring at the half-open bedroom door. Then, I t