"If you take one more step, I’ll never forgive you!"
His words were like a spell.
As if rooted to the spot by his words, Vera felt all her strength drain away in an instant. Her left foot felt as if it were glued to the step, impossibly heavy.
Rigidly, she stayed put, breathing deeply and trying to lift her foot, but it felt pinned down by an invisible force.
Taking a deep breath, she withdrew her right foot and turned on the step to face the man below. Through a blur of tears and rain, his figure was indistinct.
Standing on the steps, she clenched her small fists and scread at him.
"Kris Cooper, will this ever end?"
"No!"
The man’s voice burned with a rage even fiercer than hers.
Stepping over a puddle on the ground, he ascended the stairs, one deliberate step at a ti, drawing closer to her.
Nathan Leafcastle stepped back down one stair, placing himself protectively in front of Vera.
"You are not allowed to hurt her."
"Get out!" Kris Cooper snarled, his voice laced with fury. "This isn’t your business!"
Nathan Leafcastle stood his ground.
Anything concerning Vera was his business. Besides, he had strong reason to suspect that the affairs of Walter Wave Real Estate were connected to Ashton Real Estate.
Kris Cooper inhaled deeply. He lifted his rain-soaked lashes, his eyes eting Nathan Leafcastle’s.
His amber eyes held a beast-like ferocity.
"I’ll say this again... Get out!"
"Brother Nathan," Vera said from behind Nathan Leafcastle, "this is between us. Let talk to him."
"But..."
"I beg you."
She knew Kris Cooper’s temper. This was ultimately an issue between the two of them. Though Nathan Leafcastle was involved, she didn’t want him to intervene, much less drag him into their ss.
"I’ll be nearby; call if anything happens," Nathan Leafcastle said, eting Kris Cooper’s glare unflinchingly. "As long as you don’t want to go, I won’t let anyone take you away!"
With that, he turned, gave Vera a reassuring nod, and walked to the top of the stairs. He continued a few more paces, stopping several ters away before turning back.
He and Vera were only separated by one step, but it felt as if they were worlds apart.
Kris Cooper gazed at the girl, only a single step separating them, and for the first ti, felt a flicker of uncertainty.
Would she co back with him?
Of course, this uncertainty was fleeting. A mont later, his confidence returned, resolute.
She will!
She will!
And so, he extended his hand to her.
"Vera, let’s go ho."
Raindrops glistened on his palm, making it appear exceptionally supple.
Vera had always been drawn to n with beautiful hands, and his were the most exquisite she had ever seen. When they were together, she loved to play with his fingers.
Now, that hand was right before her, yet she could only clench her own, too afraid to reach out.
She opened her mouth, but no sound erged. She swallowed hard, a little moisture finally returning to her parched throat.
"Will you let go, please?"
Not daring to et his gaze, she lowered her eyes and asked hesitantly.
"No!"
His tone was imperious, edged with anger.
"Then what do you want?"
"I want you to co ho with . I want to marry you. I want you to be with ," Kris Cooper declared, staring at her face. Then, slowly, he enunciated, "Forever. You promised you’d never leave!"
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