Chapter 3 Eric's Lover

Verena noticed Darren was annoyed. But he had walked in on his own. It wasn't Verena who forced him to be there. Who could he blame?

Aware that Darren was keen to avoid trouble, Verena suggested, "Maybe you should find a place to hide?"

Darren asked in disbelief, "You want me to hide? Really?"

It felt demeaning.

"If hiding doesn't suit you, feel free to leave. It wouldn't get me into trouble. I might even call off the engagement because of this."

"Verena, who are you talking to?" The woman was just about to open the door from outside.

Darren, feeling hesitant, hid himself behind the curtain.

Verena approached the door to open it, yet she had no plans to allow the woman to enter.

It turned out to be Shirley Larson, Verena's longtime best friend and now Eric's lover.

Shirley's beauty and gentleness were the sort that naturally stirred compassion.

She must have been crying; her eyes were still red. She was dressed in just a camisole, which showed the bruises left by Eric.

"Verena, you look stunning today," Shirley said, admiring Verena's dress.

Verena, disgusted, questioned, "What do you want?"

"Verena, my life's been tough. I was abandoned by my mother as a kid and my father was a gambler. Eric's all I've got. Please, don't take him from me. Could you let him go back to me? I truly love him."

Verena's gaze on Shirley was cold. "I've never seen a mistress quite as bold as you."

"Verena, you've always had everything. You can't possibly understand how I feel. Why must you do this? Why are you taking Eric away?"

At that, Shirley dropped to her knees before Verena.

"Please, I'm begging you..." she pleaded.

Within moments, Shirley was lifted to her feet.

"Shirley, what's going on?" The scene pained Eric deeply.

"Verena, how can you treat Shirley this way? She's in poor health, and you have her kneeling? How can you be so heartless?" Eric scolded Verena without holding back.

"Eric, you need to understand that Shirley knelt down by herself. I hardly said a word!"

In response, Shirley quickly took Eric by the arm and urged, "Eric, please don't be mad at Verena. It's my fault. I love you so much and I can't bear to see you engaged to Verena."

Verena was disgusted by Shirley's hypocrisy. Before she could close the door, she heard Eric's harsh words. "Verena, even if I marry you, I would never love, let alone sleep with you. Just let it go!"

The very sight of Verena disgusted him!

Verena retorted with a laugh, "What a waste you both aren't actors. Just so we're clear, it's the Briggs family that keeps you apart, not me. You're both disgusting!"

With that, she shut the door to the dressing room.

At that moment, Darren stepped out from his hiding spot behind the curtain.

He had overheard everything.

With a calm demeanor, Verena said, "See? Your nephew is such a shameless man. Even if I were with a hundred men, I wouldn't feel a bit guilty."

Darren found himself at a loss for words.