Can’t Win Me Back

Amber stared at the sparklers vacantly as tears welled up in her eyes. She clutched her fists, holding back her emotions.

"Cjoin me! Let's have sfun." Axel bounced up to her and handed her a sparkler with eyes that shone bright like the sun.

She accepted the sparkler with trembling fingers, knowing that he must have cprepared with them. It was impossible to get this stuff at the

remote location of the orphanage.

The light from her sparklers danced on her face. A smile appeared on her face. She took on a resemblance to the girl in the locket when she smiled.

"Do you like that massive fireworks show | put on for you the last time?" He glanced at her before asking.

Staring at the sparkler in her hand, she replied softly, "Yeah."

"Well, that doesn't mean anything. I'm not as rich as Landon Harper. Can't afford a showy performance worth tens of millions," Axel blurted out.

She flashed a faint smile at him, having been used to his blunt and outspoken manner—probably the reason he was single.

smiled gently, satisfied. "Anything that belongs tois

she treasured

to go out, Axel tilted his head and whispered into her ear, "Now, you're not

looked like before."

her shoulders and put a hand at the

added, "I'll remember how you looked

eyes met, she felt all her blood rush

might have gone out, but the passion in their

interrupted by a jarring ringtone from her phone. She coughed awkwardly before drawing away from him. She checked her phone and saw Carl's non the screen—a sight

"Hello?" she croaked.

host two guests from Tsulu," Carl informed her in a business-like

toe, she hurried toward her sportscar, fearing that Axel might overhear. "What guests? Are

partners?"

Schmidt wants you to keep them happy. You don't need

felt her chest tighten. Jameson appeared to have grown vigilant of her, refusing to

offering, "They are Mr. Schmidt's business partners. This deal is important to him,

Tsulu market. Ms. Altman, you'll have