The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Jessica looked at Casper and asked, "How can I believe what you're saying now?"

Casper stared back at Jessica.

She continued, "You said that back then, your parents took your money. How can you guarantee that they won't take it again?

"If they ask for your money again, will you just leave without a word and make me wait for so long once more? It was a year and a half the first time. That means it would be fifteen years on the tenth time. How much more time do I have to wait for you?"

Casper knew he was at fault, so he could only apologize. "I know I was wrong. I promise you there won't be a next time. Break up with Steven and get back together with me, okay? I beg you."

Jessica hadn't completely forgotten Casper, but she had her principles. "No. Now that I've decided to be with Steven, I won't leave him unless he gives me a reason to. What you do with your life is your business, and it has nothing to do with me. So please, just leave me alone."

With that, Jessica walked past Casper and entered the dormitory.

Casper waited at the entrance for a long time, but Jessica never reappeared. He understood that he couldn't change her mind no matter how long he stayed. Defeated, he finally left.noveldrama

Later, he collaborated with classmates on projects, and whenever possible, he made sure to be near Jessica.

Meanwhile, Steven still possessed the arrogance of youth, convinced he was the most impressive man around.

Steven was good-looking, ambitious with his startup, and his projects seemed quite promising. As a result, there were plenty of women around who were interested in him.

Jessica, who was only in a vague, undefined relationship with him, never said much about it. After all, she didn't have the right to interfere.

Steven's friends were well aware of the nature of their relationship and often reminded him to be more considerate when it came to Jessica. They warned him that if he treated her poorly, she might just walk away.

However, Steven brushed it off, confidently stating that successful men like him would always have women lining up for them. If Jessica didn't want him, he could easily find someone else.

As he finished speaking, he casually slung his arm around Jessica's shoulders and laughed heartily, as if he had just told the funniest joke. The people around them glanced at Jessica, noticing her expression darken, but they weren't sure how to react.

Steven, oblivious, asked why no one was laughing. Did they think he'd fall apart without a woman? He insisted he wasn't that kind of guy. He was open-minded and carefree. He urged everyone to laugh, and they reluctantly obliged with forced chuckles.

Jessica had never been particularly fond of Steven to begin with. She had only agreed to be with him

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because he had pursued her relentlessly. After hearing his remarks, she forced a faint smile, grabbed her bag, and told Steven

she had something to do and needed to leave.

Once in the car, she suddenly realized how pointless it was to be in a relationship with a man she didn't truly care for. She sent Steven a text. "Maybe we should just call it quits."

When she returned to her dorm, she collapsed onto her bed and fell asleep.

Casper, upon hearing that Jessica was upset, waited outside her dorm building, hoping to see her. Later, when Jessica came downstairs to grab something to eat, she ran into him.