Love and Devotion No Longer His to Claim (Angela and Dexter) novel Chapter 309

"I'm going to the restroom." Angela excused herself, standing up and walking away casually.

In a private room upstairs, Amber was indeed waiting.

Since the restaurant belonged to the Sheppard family, it wasn't surprising that she had shown up there unnoticed.

It had only been a few days, but Amber had noticeably lost weight. Her face looked even more haggard than before, as if she had suffered a great deal.

Angela felt uneasy seeing her like this, but she had already said everything she could.

Wait, that wasn't quite right. She still hadn't asked why such an outstanding young woman would insist on throwing herself at her good-for-nothing brother.

"Angela, you're here." Amber forced a weak smile, standing up to greet Angela and reaching out to pull a chair for her.

Angela stopped her. "Are you… not feeling well?"

Amber's smile became even more strained. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, avoiding Angela's gaze. "It's nothing. I'm just leaving soon, so I just can't help feeling reluctant."

Her eyes were filled with sorrow.

Letting out a sigh, Angela finally asked the question she had been keeping to herself.

"Does Zack have something that truly captivates you? A quality that other, perhaps more outstanding men—men better suited for you—don't possess?"

"Yes." Amber was direct in her answer. "Zack is a free spirit. I want to be like him—carefree, unrestrained, living however I please and doing whatever I want without hesitation."

"Then shouldn't you treat yourself better and live the way you want rather than pinning your hopes on a man? And not just any man—but my brother, who is hopelessly unreliable? All you're doing is being reckless with yourself."

There was genuine frustration in Angela's tone.

Amber was like a child trapped in painful memories, searching externally for something to fill the void, unaware that this would only lead her deeper into the abyss.

"You knew she was watching you?" Angela asked in surprise.

Since when was Zack so perceptive?

Zack scoffed lightly, shrugging. "You're my sister. You think I wouldn't notice what you're doing?"

Angela didn't reply.

The atmosphere in the car wasn't exactly lighthearted.

Just before they reached home, Zack suddenly said, "Angie, starting tomorrow, give me some real work to do. Stop making me print documents, clean up, and make coffee."

Angela raised an eyebrow. "What, now you're unhappy with that? Didn't you want easy, mindless things to do?"

She turned her head, silently staring at the seemingly dull-witted young man. Suddenly, she realized that he seemed different.