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Chapter 6

ผู้เขียน: Bil
last update ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2025-03-28 22:21:55

Vera recognized it for what it was.

A warning.

She then turned to Asher, arching a brow. "Momentary indulgence? That’s what she thinks I am?"

Asher exhaled slowly. "That’s what they think you will be."

Vera studied him for a long moment. "And you?"

Something flickered in his gaze. "I don’t do ‘momentary,’ Vera."

A shiver ran through her, but she wasn’t sure if it was from the way he said it… or the way she wanted to believe him.

A low chuckle broke the moment. Nicholas Alden leaned casually against a marble column, swirling the amber liquid in his glass before taking a slow sip. His sharp eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched the exchange.

Sarah, still composed but clearly irritated had her fingers tight around the stem of her untouched champagne flute.

"It’s funny," Nicholas mused, his voice rich with knowing. "You think this is just a battle of reputations, Sarah, but you’re missing something crucial."

Sarah turned to him with an icy glare. "And what might that be,?"

He smirked, glancing toward Asher, who had yet to look away from Vera. "You see, it’s not about what the Donovan family wants, nor what the society expects. It’s about him." Nicholas nodded toward Asher, then shifted his gaze back to Sarah. "And do you know the most damning part?"

Sarah’s lips pressed into a thin line, but Nicholas didn’t wait for her to answer.

"It’s the way he looks at her when she’s not looking. That’s how you know Vera isn’t just a passing fancy." He tilted his head. "That’s how you know she’s already taken her place."

Silence stretched between them.

Vera’s heart pounded, her breath catching slightly. She could feel Asher beside her, unwavering, unmoving, as if Nicholas had just voiced something neither of them dared to admit aloud.

Sarah, to her credit, masked her emotions well, but not well enough. Her knuckles whitened around the glass, and for the first time that evening, her carefully cultivated poise showed its cracks.

She wasn’t just losing control of the situation.

She was realizing she had already lost.

Nicholas took another sip of his drink, letting his words settle, then exhaled, satisfied. "Well, I do love a good spectacle. Let’s see how this one plays out." With a casual nod, he turned and walked away, leaving Sarah standing alone in the wake of his truth.

Vera exhaled slowly, willing her pulse to steady. She turned back to Asher, searching his face for a reaction.

But he didn’t deny it.

Didn’t correct Nicholas.

Didn’t look away.

Instead, he reached for her hand, his touch deliberate, firm. "Let’s go."

Vera swallowed hard but let him lead her away.

Asher led Vera through the secluded hallway, past the grand columns and into the cool, open air of the estate’s back garden. The hushed murmurs of the party faded behind them, replaced by the rustling of leaves in the evening breeze.

The moonlight cast shadows on his sharp features, but Vera wasn’t interested in how devastatingly composed he looked, she was still reeling from what Nicholas had just said.

The way he looks at you when you’re not looking.

She folded her arms as Asher finally released her wrist, taking a measured step back. "So, what was that?" she asked, tilting her chin defiantly. "Are you going to pretend Nicholas was lying? That the way you looked at me wasn’t real?"

His expression didn’t waver. "Of course it wasn’t real. I had to act that way because people were watching."

Vera scoffed. "Oh, how convenient. You had to look at me like you..."

"Like I wanted you?" he interrupted smoothly, taking a step closer. "Like you meant something to me?"

The way he said it sent an involuntary shiver through her, but she refused to let him see how much his words affected her. "Exactly."

A slow exhale left him, and for a moment, something unreadable flashed in his gaze. "That’s what they needed to see, Vera. It’s all part of the game. You needed a place in this world, and I gave you one. You needed an ally, and I’m giving you that too. In return, you play your part." He studied her face before adding, "That’s what you wanted, isn’t it? Revenge? To make Lucas pay for what he did?"

Vera’s stomach twisted at the mention of Lucas. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides as memories of his betrayal surfaced, the deception, the way he had discarded her as if she were nothing.

"I do," she admitted, her voice steady. "And you’ll help me.."

"I will." His answer was immediate, unwavering. "But that means you can’t afford to get distracted by meaningless things. By people assuming there’s something real between us."

She hated how easily he dismissed it, as if Nicholas’s words hadn’t unsettled him at all. As if none of it had mattered. But something in his gaze told a different story. Something deeper.

Vera took a step forward, close enough to see the flicker of hesitation in his eyes. "And what if it wasn’t just an act, Asher? What if, for even a second, you meant it?"

His jaw clenched, and he looked away. "I didn’t."

Liar.

She could feel the lie in the tension between them, in the way his hand twitched slightly, as if resisting the urge to reach for her again.

He was too composed, too practiced in control. But control was just a mask.

Because deep down, he didn’t know what it was about her that had captivated him.

Maybe it had been from the very beginning, from the day they first met years ago, a moment Vera had long since forgotten, but Asher never had.

She had been younger, fiery, impossible to ignore. It was at an art exhibition, a place neither of them had particularly wanted to be. He had been there out of obligation, she out of curiosity.

They had crossed paths in a moment of complete unpredictability. He had accidentally bumped into her, making her spill her drink. Anyone else would have scurried away, intimidated by his presence, by the weight of the Donovan name.

Not Vera.

She had turned, her eyes blazing, her presence commanding, and with all the audacity in the world, she had looked him straight in the eye and said, "You owe me an apology."

No one had ever demanded anything from Asher Donovan. People either feared him or tried to impress him. But this girl, she had expected something from him. She had treated him like an ordinary man, not an untouchable heir.

And he had refused, of course. But that didn’t matter.

What mattered was that he had never been able to forget it.

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  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 7

    Now, years later, she stood before him again, just as fierce, just as untamed, just as impossible to ignore. And this time, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to.But he couldn’t let her see that. Not when he had spent so long making sure no one ever saw through him.Vera exhaled, shaking her head. "You’re a terrible liar, Asher."His lips curved slightly. "Then it’s a good thing you only need me to be a good strategist, not an honest man."....................The night had been long, filled with forced smiles, scrutinizing gazes, and whispers that followed Vera wherever she moved. She had learned to tolerate it, to wear her indifference like armor. But even she wasn’t immune to the exhaustion that came with playing a role she hadn’t chosen.Still, she held her glass of champagne with poise, taking small sips, careful not to let her irritation show.That was until a passing waiter, hurried and distracted, collided with her side. The impact was light, but it was enough.Her glass tipped.The

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-28
  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 8

    Vera shook her head, pushing away the intrusive thoughts. She turned on the faucet, running cold water over her wrists, letting the chill ground her.“This is just a deal,” she muttered under her breath, as if saying it out loud would make it true.The champagne stain on her dress was already setting in, a visual reminder of Sarah’s petty tactics. She reached for the paper towels, dabbing at the fabric in an attempt to clean herself up, but her hands stilled for a moment.What if… what if it wasn’t just playing anymore?No. She wouldn’t go down that road. She couldn’t afford to.Sarah stormed out of the venue, her perfectly curated composure cracking with every step she took.The night air was cool, but it did little to temper the heat of her frustration. Her nails dug into the palms of her hands as she replayed the conversation with Vera over and over again in her mind.Vera had been so damn confident.As if she truly believed Asher would keep choosing her.As if Sarah was nothing mo

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-28
  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 9

    The night breeze was cool against his overheated skin as he gripped the railing, staring out at the city skyline.The Alden estate stood tall in the distance, a testament to the power and wealth that dictated their lives. And inside that estate was Vera, playing a role he couldn’t quite understand but knew she wasn’t suited for.She wasn’t like them. She never had been.And yet, here she was, standing beside Asher Donovan, looking every bit the part of the perfect companion. It made his stomach twist with something unpleasant, regret, jealousy, or maybe just the cruel realization that he had made a choice that could never be undone.“You look like a man being eaten alive by his own choices.”Lucas stiffened at the sound of Nicholas' voice. He didn’t turn, but he could sense the other man’s smirk even without looking.“What do you want, Alden?” Lucas muttered, not in the mood for mind games.Nicholas stepped beside him, his gaze lazily scanning the city lights. “Just enjoying the view.

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-04-04
  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 10

    Asher hadn’t hesitated. He hadn’t even looked back.Sarah’s fingers curled into fists, her perfectly manicured nails biting into the soft flesh of her palm. A part of her wanted to march after them, to make Asher see reason, to demand he explain himself. But that wouldn’t do.No, Sarah Langford didn’t beg.She didn’t chase.She destroyed.So she stood there, her expression carefully composed, her breathing steady despite the anger curling hot in her stomach. Let them leave together. Let Vera think she had won.This wasn’t over.Because in the end, it wouldn’t matter if Asher was momentarily fascinated by her. Fascination wasn’t enough.The Donovan family would never allow Vera to stay.And when the time came, Sarah would be the one left standing beside Asher, just as she had always planned.Vera, however, would be nothing more than a temporary distraction.A mistake.A regret.And Sarah would make damn sure of it.The sleek black car waited out front, engine humming softly against the

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  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 11

    The soft click of her apartment door echoed louder than it should have.Vera stepped inside, toeing off her heels without bothering to turn on the lights. Moonlight spilled through the floor to ceiling windows, casting long silver streaks across the wooden floors. The silence that met her was familiar, comforting even, but tonight, it didn’t bring the usual relief.She dropped her clutch on the console table by the door and shrugged off her coat, letting it fall haphazardly over the back of the couch. The damp patch from the champagne stain clung to her skin, cold and unpleasant.She peeled the dress off and traded it for one of Asher’s oversized button down shirt, left behind during their first meeting.She stood still for a moment in the quiet, staring at her reflection in the window. Her eyes were tired. Not from the party. Not even from Sarah’s confrontation. But from the weight she carried. The one she didn’t show anyone.Her fingers itched to text someone, Talia maybe. But her b

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-04-04
  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 12

    Vera Caldwell was fire.Untamed. Unapologetic. Proud.And now, here she was, putting herself on a stage where every single person was waiting for her to stumble.It was wrong.But it was the only way he knew how to protect her.He exhaled harshly, tugging at the collar of his dress shirt. The car was too warm. Too quiet. Too full of thoughts he couldn’t ignore anymore.“You looked at her like you meant it,” Nicholas had said earlier.And he hadn’t denied it.Because how could he?He remembered the first time he met Vera.“Watch where you’re going,” she’d snapped, like he was the one who owed her an apology.He hadn’t laughed in weeks before that moment.She’d stuck in his mind long after, just a flash of a girl in a wrinkled white shirt and oversized sunglasses, too bold for her own good. He’d never expected to see her again. And yet, here she was back in his world, now wrapped in diamonds and secrets.But the girl hadn’t changed. Not really.She was still fire.And he was still helpl

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  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 1

    The moment Vera Sinclair walked into the lavish restaurant, she knew something was off.The low hum of conversation, the clinking of crystal glasses, and the rich aroma of gourmet dishes did nothing to settle the unease crawling up her spine.Across the table, her boyfriend of four years, Lucas Whitmore, wore an expression she had never seen before, distant, cold, and unreadable.She set her purse on the chair beside her and smiled, ignoring the warning bells in her head. "You’re quiet tonight. Long day?"Lucas exhaled sharply, adjusting the cuffs of his expensive suit. "Vera, we need to talk."Her stomach twisted.No conversation that began with those words ever ended well.Still, she forced herself to remain calm. "Okay. What’s on your mind?"He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up his wine glass, swirled the liquid, and watched it as if searching for words in the deep red color.When he finally spoke, his voice carried a sharp edge. "I think we should break up."For a m

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-02
  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 2

    Asher swirled the dark liquid in his glass, his gaze never leaving hers. "Something far better than a man who treated you like a substitute."Vera studied Asher Donovan’s face, trying to decipher his intentions.He was a man known for calculated moves, never saying or doing anything without a purpose. But what purpose did she serve to him?She took another slow sip of her drink, letting the heat settle inside her before meeting his gaze. "You seem awfully invested in my business, Mr. Donovan."Asher chuckled, the deep sound vibrating in the space between them. "Call it an observation. A woman like you shouldn’t waste her time on a man who couldn’t see her worth."His words struck a nerve, and for a moment, Vera wavered. But she quickly masked it with a smirk. "And I suppose you’re here to enlighten me on what I’m worth?"Asher leaned forward, his presence overwhelming in a way that made it impossible to ignore him. "Perhaps," he murmured. "But I have a more interesting proposition for

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-02

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  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 12

    Vera Caldwell was fire.Untamed. Unapologetic. Proud.And now, here she was, putting herself on a stage where every single person was waiting for her to stumble.It was wrong.But it was the only way he knew how to protect her.He exhaled harshly, tugging at the collar of his dress shirt. The car was too warm. Too quiet. Too full of thoughts he couldn’t ignore anymore.“You looked at her like you meant it,” Nicholas had said earlier.And he hadn’t denied it.Because how could he?He remembered the first time he met Vera.“Watch where you’re going,” she’d snapped, like he was the one who owed her an apology.He hadn’t laughed in weeks before that moment.She’d stuck in his mind long after, just a flash of a girl in a wrinkled white shirt and oversized sunglasses, too bold for her own good. He’d never expected to see her again. And yet, here she was back in his world, now wrapped in diamonds and secrets.But the girl hadn’t changed. Not really.She was still fire.And he was still helpl

  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 11

    The soft click of her apartment door echoed louder than it should have.Vera stepped inside, toeing off her heels without bothering to turn on the lights. Moonlight spilled through the floor to ceiling windows, casting long silver streaks across the wooden floors. The silence that met her was familiar, comforting even, but tonight, it didn’t bring the usual relief.She dropped her clutch on the console table by the door and shrugged off her coat, letting it fall haphazardly over the back of the couch. The damp patch from the champagne stain clung to her skin, cold and unpleasant.She peeled the dress off and traded it for one of Asher’s oversized button down shirt, left behind during their first meeting.She stood still for a moment in the quiet, staring at her reflection in the window. Her eyes were tired. Not from the party. Not even from Sarah’s confrontation. But from the weight she carried. The one she didn’t show anyone.Her fingers itched to text someone, Talia maybe. But her b

  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 10

    Asher hadn’t hesitated. He hadn’t even looked back.Sarah’s fingers curled into fists, her perfectly manicured nails biting into the soft flesh of her palm. A part of her wanted to march after them, to make Asher see reason, to demand he explain himself. But that wouldn’t do.No, Sarah Langford didn’t beg.She didn’t chase.She destroyed.So she stood there, her expression carefully composed, her breathing steady despite the anger curling hot in her stomach. Let them leave together. Let Vera think she had won.This wasn’t over.Because in the end, it wouldn’t matter if Asher was momentarily fascinated by her. Fascination wasn’t enough.The Donovan family would never allow Vera to stay.And when the time came, Sarah would be the one left standing beside Asher, just as she had always planned.Vera, however, would be nothing more than a temporary distraction.A mistake.A regret.And Sarah would make damn sure of it.The sleek black car waited out front, engine humming softly against the

  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 9

    The night breeze was cool against his overheated skin as he gripped the railing, staring out at the city skyline.The Alden estate stood tall in the distance, a testament to the power and wealth that dictated their lives. And inside that estate was Vera, playing a role he couldn’t quite understand but knew she wasn’t suited for.She wasn’t like them. She never had been.And yet, here she was, standing beside Asher Donovan, looking every bit the part of the perfect companion. It made his stomach twist with something unpleasant, regret, jealousy, or maybe just the cruel realization that he had made a choice that could never be undone.“You look like a man being eaten alive by his own choices.”Lucas stiffened at the sound of Nicholas' voice. He didn’t turn, but he could sense the other man’s smirk even without looking.“What do you want, Alden?” Lucas muttered, not in the mood for mind games.Nicholas stepped beside him, his gaze lazily scanning the city lights. “Just enjoying the view.

  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 8

    Vera shook her head, pushing away the intrusive thoughts. She turned on the faucet, running cold water over her wrists, letting the chill ground her.“This is just a deal,” she muttered under her breath, as if saying it out loud would make it true.The champagne stain on her dress was already setting in, a visual reminder of Sarah’s petty tactics. She reached for the paper towels, dabbing at the fabric in an attempt to clean herself up, but her hands stilled for a moment.What if… what if it wasn’t just playing anymore?No. She wouldn’t go down that road. She couldn’t afford to.Sarah stormed out of the venue, her perfectly curated composure cracking with every step she took.The night air was cool, but it did little to temper the heat of her frustration. Her nails dug into the palms of her hands as she replayed the conversation with Vera over and over again in her mind.Vera had been so damn confident.As if she truly believed Asher would keep choosing her.As if Sarah was nothing mo

  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 7

    Now, years later, she stood before him again, just as fierce, just as untamed, just as impossible to ignore. And this time, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to.But he couldn’t let her see that. Not when he had spent so long making sure no one ever saw through him.Vera exhaled, shaking her head. "You’re a terrible liar, Asher."His lips curved slightly. "Then it’s a good thing you only need me to be a good strategist, not an honest man."....................The night had been long, filled with forced smiles, scrutinizing gazes, and whispers that followed Vera wherever she moved. She had learned to tolerate it, to wear her indifference like armor. But even she wasn’t immune to the exhaustion that came with playing a role she hadn’t chosen.Still, she held her glass of champagne with poise, taking small sips, careful not to let her irritation show.That was until a passing waiter, hurried and distracted, collided with her side. The impact was light, but it was enough.Her glass tipped.The

  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 6

    Vera recognized it for what it was.A warning.She then turned to Asher, arching a brow. "Momentary indulgence? That’s what she thinks I am?"Asher exhaled slowly. "That’s what they think you will be."Vera studied him for a long moment. "And you?"Something flickered in his gaze. "I don’t do ‘momentary,’ Vera."A shiver ran through her, but she wasn’t sure if it was from the way he said it… or the way she wanted to believe him.A low chuckle broke the moment. Nicholas Alden leaned casually against a marble column, swirling the amber liquid in his glass before taking a slow sip. His sharp eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched the exchange.Sarah, still composed but clearly irritated had her fingers tight around the stem of her untouched champagne flute."It’s funny," Nicholas mused, his voice rich with knowing. "You think this is just a battle of reputations, Sarah, but you’re missing something crucial."Sarah turned to him with an icy glare. "And what might that be,?"He smirked,

  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 5

    Asher walked beside her, his presence solid. "You didn’t give him what he wanted, did you?"Vera let out a soft laugh, though it carried a sharp edge. "Lucas doesn’t even know what he wants."Asher smirked, but there was something more in his eyes, approval, maybe even something deeper. "Good. Because I’d hate to have to remind him."His words were casual, but Vera didn’t miss the weight behind them. There was an unspoken promise in Asher’s tone, something possessive, protective even. It should have unsettled her.But, it didn’t.Before she could respond, the music shifted, signaling the start of another dance. Asher extended his hand. "Dance with me."Vera hesitated, eyeing him carefully. "And what exactly do you gain from this?"He tilted his head, considering. "A reason for Sarah, to keep up appearances. She’s watching. She always is."Vera followed his gaze and found Sarah Langford, the woman Asher’s family had long groomed to be his perfect match.Tall, poised, effortlessly elega

  • Dear Ex, I'm More Than Your Plan B   Chapter 4

    The moment Vera and Asher stepped away from Lucas and Camilla, the weight of their stares burned into her back. But Vera didn’t falter. A waiter approached with a tray of champagne flutes, and Asher plucked two, handing one to Vera.She took it with a nod, then turned her gaze to the sprawling city lights beyond the terrace.The cool evening air was a stark contrast to the heated tension inside."You knew he’d approach me," Vera said after a moment, swirling the golden liquid in her glass."Of course," Asher said, leaning against the railing. "Lucas Whitmore is predictable. The moment he saw you with me, he couldn’t stand it. He wanted to reassert control."She let out a soft laugh. "And yet, he no longer has any."Asher tilted his head. "Exactly."They stood in comfortable silence, the noise of the gala fading behind them.Vera took a sip of her drink, the bubbles tingling against her lips."Enjoying this?" Asher asked breaking the silence.Vera turned to face him, her expression un

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