Chapter 3 The Pleas

Verena could practically taste Darren's discontent in the air. Yet, it was his own two feet that brought him here; she hadn't twisted his arm. Who was he to blame but himself?

Sensing Darren's unease, Verena suggested, "Maybe you should lay low for a bit."

But the mere suggestion seemed to twist Darren's features in discomfort. "Hide? Me?"

Was he supposed to skulk around like a guilty adulterer?

He had barely exchanged a few words with Verena. Why did he have to hide?

"Fine, then, stroll out there boldly! I have nothing to lose anyway. Maybe, with your sway, we could even call off this engagement!" Verena shot back.

"Verena, who are you talking to?" The woman from outside pushed the door.

Though reluctant, Darren found himself slipping behind the curtain.

Verena opened the door, intending not to let the visitor in.

It was none other than Shirley Larson, Verena's longtime confidante and Eric's current flame.

Shirley was a vision of delicate beauty, her red-rimmed eyes eliciting sympathy.

Her attire, a spaghetti strap top, laid bare the marks Eric had left on her skin.

"Verena, you look stunning today," Shirley remarked, her gaze flickering with envy as it settled on Verena's gown.

Verena regarded her with thinly veiled mockery. "What's your game?"

"Verena, you know my story. My family's destitute. My mother abandoned me, and my father's a gambler. Eric is all I have. Please, don't get engaged to him. Give him back to me, please. I love him so," Shirley pleaded, tears glistening in her eyes.

Verena's gaze turned icy. "You're quite the brazen mistress! It's a first for me!"

"Verena, you've had it all from the start. You can't possibly understand my pain. Why must you take Eric from me?" Shirley continued, sinking to her knees before Verena.

"Please. I implore you..." Shirley's pleas grew more desperate.

Before Verena could react, Eric intervened, pulling Shirley to her feet.

"What are you doing, Shirley?" Eric's voice trembled with heartache as he looked at Shirley's distressed state.

"Verena, why drag Shirley into our mess? She's fragile, and you're pushing her to the brink. Making her kneel like this. How can you be so cruel?" Eric accused.

"Eric, get it straight. Shirley came here of her own accord, kneeling willingly. I barely uttered a word!" Verena defended herself.

Seeing this exchange, Shirley grasped at Eric's arm. "Eric, don't blame Verena. It's my doing. My love for you blinds me. I can't bear to see you with someone else."

Verena felt a surge of revulsion at the melodrama. Before she could close the door, Eric's words cut through the air. "Verena, even if I marry you, I won't ever love you. I won't lay a finger on you. Just give up already!"

He couldn't even stand the sight of her!

Verena fought back the urge to laugh at their absurdity. "You two ought to consider a career in comedy. But let's get this clear. It's the Briggs family, not me, standing in your way."

"Pathetic!" Verena spat out the word before slamming the door shut.

Darren emerged from behind the curtain, having heard the entire debacle.

Unfazed, Verena remarked, "Well, there you have it. Even if I were to dally with a hundred men, I wouldn't feel a shred of guilt toward your nephew!"

Darren was momentarily at a loss for words.