Scars Of A Broken Bond

sharp retort, she countered, “I doubt you’ve ever had a blind date yourself.”

Just as Lance was poised to respond, the mobile phone resting on the table abruptly chimed with an incoming call.

In a hushed tone, he raised a hand in a gesture of silence, then answered the call, his voice adopting a softer cadence. “What’s going on, Keilani?”

Keilani was a girl’s name.

Bettie remained uncertain about the nature of their conversation over the phone. She observed Lance Listening attentively before reassuring her, “Don’t fret. I’ll return in a few days and bring you some gifts. Alright then. Bye.”

Concluding the call, he placed the phone back on the table and cast an amiable smile in Bettie’s direction. “You were saying?”

raised as curiosity got

lips as he scrutinized Bettie intently, opting not to deny

fathom why she’s so

traces of envy, Lance pressed his lips together, indulging in

accolades for her discernment,”

praise,” Bettie scoffed and

himself rendered

of serving, presenting an opulent bottle of

flourish, Bettie unfurled the wine’s secrets, allowing its crimson essence to cascade into a glass, then another

abstained, Bettie, on the other hand,