Perhaps it was the last sentence that struck a chord with Asher; he suddenly lifted his gaze to meet mine. Julia stood behind him, biting her lip in evident frustration.

“What are you doing here? I’m in a relationship with Mr. Sandoval now. You’re just the ex-wife, and you can’t even keep your distance. How shameless can you be?”

Seeing Asher silent for so long drove Julia nearly to madness; she charged at me, demanding answers.

Slap!

The sharp sound of a slap echoed in the room. I instinctively glanced at the now gray-haired Mrs. Sandoval, who had fiercely protected me in her embrace, glaring at Julia.

This woman, who...