Whispers Of Betrayal (Anastasia and Alastor)

Chapter 84

Zachary shared a few pictures on Twitter. There was a mural of a scenic landscape painting, along with a caption: [Those who are dirty always want to tarnish those who are clean. Some willingly play the role of a homewrecker, defying both morals and the law, yet they manipulate trending topics to smear the rightful wife. I wasn’t planning to explain, but these rumors have seriously damaged my reputation and that of the company. Today, I’m setting the record straight, and 1 won’t address this again in the future. (The mural in the photo was painted by Anastasia during her university days, proving her worth.)]

Zachary also included a picture of the payment he had given Anastasia back then, with the amount blurred but enough to show that she had earned her money in an honest manner.

Anastasia was taken aback. Was Zachary the one lending her a hand?

After years of no contact, she never expected Zachary to step in and help.

How could she ever repay this kindness?

“Meow,” Snowball was in an unfamiliar setting, so it seemed a bit nervous and kept staying close to Anastasia.

Anastasia comforted Snowball, stroking its head.

Jason crouched in front of Anastasia and addressed Snowball. “From now on, you will be staying here temporarily.”

Snowball stared at Jason for a moment, not showing any shyness toward him. Then, it snuggled into his arms as if they were, old pals.

Jason held Snowball and smiled at Anastasia. “See? Even the little kitten knows how to find a new owner.”

Anastasia looked at Snowball in surprise: Snowball was usually cautious around strangers.

Sitting on the couch, Anastasia fell into silence for a moment. “This isn’t my own house, so if I have a cat, would the owner be okay with it?”

“Just consider this your home. Don’t worry about it,” Jason reassured Anastasia.

Anastasia didn’t respond. She leaned back on the couch and felt a bit weary.

Outside, fireworks illuminated the night, creating a festive atmosphere for Christmas.

“Anastasia, I bought a bunch of fireworks and firecrackers. Grandma said that on Christmas Eve, after making ravioli, we have to set off firecrackers Jason put Snowball down and washed his hands, getting ready to make ravioli.

Anastasia grew curious and got up, watching Jason work at the counter. “You know how to make ravioli? That’s pretty impressive.”

“I can teach you?” Jason smiled at Anastasia.

His smile was genuinely charming, radiating warmth and positivity.

Unfortunately, Anastasia had grown resistant to being warmed up. She could no longer feel the warmth.

“I don’t want to learn…” Anastasia shook her head. “From now on, I won’t have to cook for anyone or try to please anyone ever again…

Her urge to please others was born from her fear of losing their affection, which had turned into a people-pleaser trait in her marriage.

She had tried so hard to please Alastor, only to end up discarded anyway.

“Sure thing, just focus on eating. I’ll handle the cooking,” Jason rolled out the ravioli dough and began making the little pockets.

Anastasia propped her chin on her hands taught me how to make stuffed gnocchi.”

Anastasia murmured softly.

watching

mwork busily, then reached out and took the rolling pin. “My mom

“Stuffed gnocchi is more common in the South; in the North, we usually go for ravioli,” Jason put a chestnut in one of the ravioli. “The person who gets the chestnut is supposed to have good luck for the whole year.”

Anastasia laughed at the superstition.

It had been a long time since she had laughed like this.

H

“My mom used to make me stuffed gnocchi before she passed away. She knew I loved the ricotta cheese filling, so that day, she made it for me with her own hands,” Anastasia’s voice grew husky.

After they finished eating, her mother said, “Annie, let’s go together.”

Her mother told Anastasia to go with her to somewhere very far away.

“Anastasia…” Jason put the ravioli dough she had prepared aside and spoke with determination. “From now on. I’ll forever be by your side

Anastasia smiled. “Do you know what ‘forever’ means?”

Only death was eternal: everything else was subject to change.

“I do. As long as you give me a chance, I’ll prove it to you.” Jason looked at Anastasia resolutely.

Anastasia let out a sigh. “Jason, I’ve said it before. It’s too late.”

If she weren’t sick, she might have genuinely considered it.

Even if Jason was a broke man, she might have chosen to give their new relationship a chance.

She could have let go of Alastor and started a new love story.

They could lead a calm and simple life.

Perhaps they’d get married, maybe have healthy children, and maybe be happy.

Or perhaps reality would defeat them.

Either way, with a healthy body, the future would hold limitless possibilities.

But she was sick, and she only had one outcome: death.

Jason lowered his head and went back to making the ravioli.

*Anastasia, I didn’t come too late,” Jason suddenly said, interrupting his ravioli-making “I never left. I’ve always been here. You just don’t dare to turn around and see me.”

Anastasia’s throat tightened, and she stared at Jason with a still look. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Jason… You deserve someone better.” She was just a divorcee with a tarnished reputation.

“You’re the best,” Jason replied without hesitation.

He didn’t talk to Anastasian further.

Anastasia let out a sigh and settled back on the couch.

Her phone rang at midnight on Christmas Eve. It was Alastor.

Anastasia remained silent for a moment but eventually answered the call from Alastor.

“Anastasia, I underestimated you. All those online stories about you have been suppressed. Did you personally spread those rumors about me? Did you?” Alastor’s voice was low and dripping with anger.

“Do you really think I have that much influence?” Anastasia chuckled.

Alastor was truly overestimating her.

“Zachary actually came forward to debunk these ridiculous rumors personally. Anastasia, you say that you and him are just casual acquaintances and that nothing happened between the two of you. Do you really believe that?”