The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Gary continued seethingly, "Sure enough, she thinks we aren't worth her time after we went broke."

He was unabashedly pinning the blame on Jessica at this point. Upon hearing this, Casper bristled and demanded, "Did you and Mom forget that Jessica and I are divorced?"

Casper had seen the way Gary and Julia looked down their noses at Jessica. He doubted they were kind to her before the divorce, much less after. He snapped, "You understand that Jessica is no longer my wife after the divorce, right? So what made you think she'd give a damn about either of you?

"Did you think she would put up with you and respect you like how she did in the past? That's unreasonable, don't you think so?"

Gary barked, "What's so unreasonable about that? We're her elders, after all!"

"And yet, she doesn't care about that. So what will you do about it?" Casper retorted.

Julia interjected sharply, "Why are you defending her? Have you two reconciled behind our backs?"noveldrama

"No," Casper said coldly. He remembered the emotional exhaustion he had felt before the divorce.

He knew Jessica loved him and wanted to stay with him, but there was no denying that his parents detested her. He had been caught between the love he had for Jessica and the love his parents had for him.

Jessica had forgiven him and put up with his parents' nonsense. He wasn't oblivious to her silent suffering, either. So, when she suggested that they get a divorce, he agreed to it.

Casper believed Jessica would have a better life without him, but he never imagined the heartbreak that would come from seeing her with another man.

He bit out, "She started seeing someone new after she returned to the country, which was her way of letting me know she wouldn't choose me again. I told you long ago that she could survive without me, but neither of you believed me."

Gary and Julia were surprised to hear this. They exchanged a long look before Julia asked, "Now that Jessica doesn't want you anymore, will you consider dating Ruby?"

"No." Casper might have settled for his parents' matchmaking if he hadn't met Jessica and married the woman they picked for him. But his compromise would be built on his cluelessness about love.

He added determinedly, "Your preference toward Ruby has nothing to do with me. I never forced you to change your mind about her, so please don't expect me to take her for a wife just because you ask me to."

Gary didn't think Casper would be so obstinate even now. He countered, "Your mom and I just want the best for you."

"Then start respecting my choices!" Casper ground out angrily.

Gary's temper flared. "But the woman you chose is questionable!"

"You and Mom will never approve of any woman I choose as long as she isn't Ruby!" Casper knew his parents too well. "So what's the truth here? Are you looking out for my best interests or controlling me?"

His words struck Gary and Julia like lightning, leaving them dumbfounded. However, he did not seem to care and added, "You know better than anyone what you're trying to accomplish. That's enough for me. Let me make one thing clear: do not bother me without good reason ever again."