The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Jessica's behavior only solidified the truth for Casper-Jessica was after his money.

His reply was curt. "Fruitful."noveldrama

Casper was busy every day. He was focused on work, leaving little room for distractions like Jessica. Oddly, he found this busyness comforting. "Do you have enough money? Do you need any help?"

"I do," Casper responded. He had no interest in talking to Jessica but forced himself to remain civil for Zane's sake. "Thanks, but I'm fine."

Jessica felt a twinge of indignation. Casper, who once clamored for her attention, now seemed indifferent.

"You're so cold these days. You say you've forgiven me, but deep down, you're still upset with me, right? I meant it when I apologized, you know. I truly want to make things right between us." She hit send and stared at the screen, waiting. Casper read her message and hesitated. What could he say? He wasn't angry, but he wasn't interested in pretending everything was fine either. After a moment, he settled on a safe excuse. "I know, but I'm really busy right now."

Jessica probed further. "When you're free, can we sit down and talk?" "Sure."

With that, Casper tossed his phone aside. He'd planned to use the evening to unwind. After all, the last few days of racing against deadlines had left him utterly drained. But the moment he rested, Jessica's face crept into his mind unbidden. Casper refused to dwell on her any longer. Hence, he buried himself back into work.

Meanwhile, Jessica, sensing that she had hurt Casper deeply, decided to send a long message to apologize. "I know you probably won't believe anything I say. But no matter what, I need you to know of all the men I've ever been with, you're the only one I've truly loved." Casper glanced at his phone as the message came through.

Jessica truly loved him? There was a time, even after his family's downfall and Jessica's departure, when he believed she might have cared for him.

Back then, he thought Jessica

simply couldn't endure a life without

luxury. He even understood why Jessica needed to find another man and blamed himself for not being capable enough to give her a better life.

However, the insults started coming, and so did the deliberate distance she put between them. That was when he realized the truth: Jessica loved money. Whoever had the most of it became the object of her affection.

Casper looked away and continued working with a solemn expression.

...

Jessica waited a long time, but Casper didn't reply. She wasn't anxious, though.

She knew Casper was a man with a temper. Back when they were together, his love for her had often outweighed his frustrations. He had always gone out of his way to

suppress his anger, doing his best to

please her.

No matter how unreasonable Jessica was or how upset he became, Casper had always endured it. Even his tone with her had been soft and careful.

As Jessica recalled the way he used to treat her, a sigh escaped her lips. Clearly, this time she'd have to put in the effort to win him over again.

Jessica turned her attention to Zane. She stared at their chat window for a long moment before typing a message.

"Busy with work?" Casper sat motionless, staring at his phone screen.

He had been second-guessing himself, wondering if he was being too harsh on Jessica. After all, she was pregnant. Emotional outbursts were normal, weren't they?

As a man, he should be more understanding. However, the moment her message appeared, all those thoughts evaporated.