After a few minutes of venting his frustration, he decided to put on a smile and try to coax her.
"I've approved your lunch menu."
'He approved such a lavish lunch menu?'
Ashley Bowen was still upset about Elise Tate, so she simply turned her face away, pretending she hadn't heard him.
Yuri Sinclair walked over to her and gently caressed her cheek. His voice was warm and gentle. "Shay, I love you more than I love myself. I'd rather that knife had stabbed me. If you had pleaded with me today, I might have been able to let it go and spare her. But she hurt *you*, so that's absolutely out of the question!"
Ashley Bowen looked at him, silent for a long moment.
Their breaths mingled. In that moment, no more words were necessary. They had reached a mutual understanding.
She nodded, her eyes fixed on him. He was so agitated that he was gripping the edge of the bed, causing blood to seep through the gauze on his hand.
