I whipped my head around, ready to press for answers, when I saw Mark striding over with an unfriendly expression “Jana”
Inodded. <b>“</b>Mark”
<b>When </b>seeing Mark, Allen’s face went pale, and he stammered, “Mr. Larson, Mr. Larson, what brings you here?
Allen was terrified of Mark.
Mark’s gaze swept over me, checking I was okay before itnded on Allen. “So soon you’ve forgotten what I told you**
“Of course not!” Allen denied it strongly, with a smile that was both suck up and careful. I, I was just checking on my wife, and it just so happened this youngdy came along”
Seeing his fear of Mark, I saw an opening and pressed, “What you just mentioned, what’s that all about? Don’t tell me it was just off the cuff
Mark had heard that, too.
Allen flinched, avoiding Cheryl’s gaze, and finally blurted out, “I just… I don’t want a divorce! It was all made up!”N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
“Impossible!” I couldn’t believe it!
Among the random fabrications, he chose this particr story. And he had mentioned it not just once but multiple times.
Cheryl red at Allen and soothingly said, “Jane, don’t take his nonsense to heart. He’s just trying to push me into aer and make me not divorce him…
“Exactly. Allen eagerly agreed.
On the way back, I was still distracted. I couldn’t figure out what the truth was. Chery! had always been good to me and had no reason to lie. And Allen, so scared of Mark, seemed unlikely to continue lying.
Suddenly, Mark asked, “What are you thinking about?<b>”</b>
I pursed my lips. “Trying to figure out how to get to the bottom of this.”
Whether it was a lie or the truth, I needed rity. Otherwise, I’d feel unsettled.
Mark gently tousled my hair. “How could you possibly find out? Leave this to me. I’ve got friends over in Southhaven.*
My eyes lit up. “Really?” I didn’t have the connections for that kind of thing.
He smiled slightly, replying, “Sure.”
“Then… if you figure it out, I’ll treat you to a big dinner!*
Tll hold you to that.”
“Deal?” Yet, I couldn’t fully rx.
If it turned out Allen was lying, <b>all’s </b>well that ends.
But if it were the truth, I’d be the orphan the Myers family spoke of, without <b>a </b>clue where I came from.
After Mark dropped me off, <b>I </b>nced at the clock and saw it <b>was </b>still early. Politeness made me offer, “Do you want toe up for coffee?*
After all, I was asking a favor.
“You know what it means to invite a man to your ce for coffee at night, right?*
Mark gave me a meaningful look.
Feeling my ears heat up, I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt. 1… I just meant coffee”
“Alright, I won’t <b>tease </b>you” He smiled, declining. ‘Got some emergency work at the office. Need to head back.”
“Okay, drive safe‘ Relieved, I made my way home.
I went straight to the shower and back to working on Dorothy’s gift. The design demanded precise tailoring, and to avoid Dorothy nitpicking, I had to finish the design and sew it myself
Then my phone rang It was my aunt.
Puzzled, <b>I </b>answered, “Aunt Cheryl<i>…</i>
Her voice came through, filled with concern, “Jane, haven’t you left yet? Are you not feeling well?”
I <b>was </b>confused. “What?”
<b>“</b><b>I </b>was <b>on </b>the balcony <b>and </b>thought I saw Mr. Larson. Weren’t <b>you </b>with him?” she asked, confused.