The crowd packed the place, and the strong smell of food hit Derek when he walked in. Grease coated the floor and

owls and plates into a large tub full of soapy water, washing them quickly, perfunctorily. Derek frowned, a wave of nausea c

s, Derek stood out like a sore thumb. Dressed in a sharp sui

e to laugh. She knew he'd never been to a place like this

soy sauce-stained menu towards Derek. He instinctively leaned b

me to choose when the guest hasn't," Flora said wi

tems from the menu, pushed them away, and then met

sponsible if something regrettable happened. We're not even married y

e slowly wiped her spoon with tissue, her finger

on't mind finishing your port

e suddenly remembered her soft hand stroking hi

dn't eat," Derek mut

rugged with a

lly, his gaze drifting unconsciously to her lips. Seeing a strand of hair fall acro

, but a hand reached out, stopping her. Derek dropped a l

or and said, "Even though you paid, consider the

s; he wasn't in a rush and had no intention of chasing her. Less than three minutes later, however, Flora came running

the engine and peeled away from the curb. At Flora's frantic urging, the car kept accelerating, hitting nearly 125 mph at one point. Fortunately, De

les parked outside, including fire trucks and an ambulance. Derek u

ted from the car, leaving her bag and phone b

state, Derek quickly

s so agitated she nearly lashed out at them. Derek grabbed her arm, pulling her back so she

f me!" sh

ned, seeing Flora as a cornered, helpless cat-all frantic claws and desperate cri

voice called out fro

s around the man. Derek instantly recognized him-the guy she'd been with at the mall. Today, he wa

ed colder as he listene

urned anywhere?" Flora anxiously checked him over, turning h

fire. He clung to Flora, burying his fac

sgust. A broad-shouldered man, easily over six feet tall, clingin

. Was this why she was always so caustic with him

" Flora patted Asher's back comfortingly, her heart aching to see

moment, his expression

the supermarket after dropping off her assignment and cook

ll find us a better, safer place to live, okay?" Flora held Asher tightly, bo

was also blatantly freeloading off her. And it wasn't just Derek's assessment; murmurs

beautiful girl would tolerate a man like that. One particul

ously at the crowd, pointing, and snarled, "You people don't seem

ments to vague mutters. That was the world's way: bully the weak, fear the strong. Flora had lea