“Come on, man. I know you too well. Didn’t you have a thing with Ms. Liora Thomas back in the day?” said Liam.
Werner’s heart lurched, and his face darkened. “Who told you that?”
Liam said, “Well, that was decades ago. You spilled the beans on me when you were drunk. Haven’t you two kept in touch all these years?”
For a moment, Werner was completely tongue–tied. There was no way he would ever tell Liam about what happened between him and Liora.
Werner replied calmly, “Of course not. That was ages ago.”
Liam didn’t press further. After dinner, he grabbed Werner and insisted they go have some fun.
Liam said, “Only after my wife passed away did I realize how great single life is. A man has got to live it up.”
“Forget it. Not this time.” Werner waved him off. Werner thought, ‘You’re a bachelor, but I’ve got a wife and kids to think about.
“Come on. I won’t tell Cathy. With me covering your back, what’s there to be afraid of?” said Liam.
In this way, Liam dragged Werner to the entrance of a seedy adult club.
Liam swore to him that this place was totally under the radar and no one would find out.
Werner was still hesitating at the entrance. He said, “Cathy suspected me once. I’ve betrayed her. I can’t make the same mistake twice.”
Liam said, “Come on. Just one more time. Stop being a wet blanket. Why else did you come to Shaville to see me? You were clearly looking for this kind of fun and wanting me to show you the ropes. Cut the act.”
Werner retorted, “Can’t you keep your big mouth shut? I’m just here to see a friend, not you.”
“You got any friends besides me? Why didn’t I know that?” Liam grinned mischievously. “Come on. Just play it safe this time. You’ll be fine.”
Werner put up a halfhearted resistance as Liam dragged one of his feet across the threshold, but he still hesitated.
Just as Werner was teetering on the edge and about to abandon his principles once again, he spotted a familiar figure standing close by.
Werner froze for a split second and violently shoved Liam away.
When Liam was about to snap, he turned around and was stunned to see Donald standing there.
Werner couldn’t meet Donald’s eyes. His dignity was in tatters before Donald. Overwhelmed by shame, Werner shoved Liam aside and bolted.
Werner said, “I told you I didn’t want to come. You shouldn’t have dragged me to this sleazy joint.”
Ignoring Liam’s reaction, he turned and walked away.
Donald strode purposefully after Werner.
Liam quickly grabbed Donald’s hand and chuckled nervously to cover for Werner. “Donald, long time no see. You’ve grown so tall. Your dad and I are just here for drinks. Don’t overthink it, alright?”
Donald clenched his fists. The next second, he yanked his hand free from Liam’s grip and chased Werner.
At that moment, Werner was every inch a coward. Caught by Donald, he deliberately avoided Donald’s gaze and frantically tried to hail a taxi, desperate to flee.
It seemed as if only fleeing could allow Werner to desperately cling to that pathetic shred of dignity and self–respect before his child.
1/2
14
Chapter 574
Werner returned to the hotel he had booked, and Donald tailed him in a taxi and got out right after him.
Werner knew he could no longer run away. He pretended to have just noticed Donald standing there.
Werner said, “Well, look who’s here. What are you doing here?”
“Why are you running away? Are you too scared to own up to what you’ve done?” Donald demanded Werner,
Werner’s face hardened. “What did I do, huh? Liam tried to take me to that kind of place, but I refused, I told him our situates font PESS widower, but I’ve still got a wife and kids. I have my principles.”
AD
