Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2500

Andrew chuckled and said, "Huh? A grudge? Nah, nothing like that."

Then, he quickly changed the subject. "Rowan, the weather's great today. Want to go out for a walk?"

Rowan shook her head. "No. You're still badly hurt. So let's just stay home and rest, okay?"

She smiled sweetly and asked, "By the way, honey, do you still want to make out?"

Andrew looked at her. Her lips were pink and tempting, her whole expression radiant and inviting. He hesitated for a second, then shook his head. "Not today. Maybe another time."

Rowan pouted a little. "Another time, huh? Fine, we'll see if I'm in the mood then. Aspen and Natasha should be back by now. I'll go check if they need any help."

Andrew watched the way her perky bottom swayed as she left and sighed. He was just playing hard to get, but she did not catch it at all.

…

The aftermath of the battle with Wilder shook the entire region, far more than Andrew had expected. For a while, no one dared to show up at the Medicine God's Covenant looking for trouble.

"Son of a bitch," Kyrie muttered after downing a hard gulp of liquor. "That bastard can even fight a martial emperor… What the hell is he, a human or a monster?"

Compared to him, Kyrie felt utterly useless, and the thought left him bitter.

Elaine's face flushed red as she snapped, "Watch your mouth, you brat. Of course, I'm with the Reyes family. I'm your father's woman. Andrew means nothing to me."

Valerie smirked wickedly. "Oh, really, Mom? Then why are you blushing? We've been best friends for over ten years, and I know you too well. You used to blush like that whenever you saw the guy you secretly liked back in college. Don't tell me you're fantasizing about having a little affair with Andrew and cuckolding Dad!"

Elaine's heart skipped a beat, and fury shot through her. "Valerie, if you keep talking nonsense, I swear I'll lose it!"

Valerie finally backed off with a mocking smile. "Relax, I get it. You're still young and full of energy. You married Dad for power and prestige, and now that you've gotten everything you wanted, your body's starting to crave a little fun, huh? Don't worry, Mom. If you ever want to go out and enjoy yourself, I won't tell Dad. In fact, I'd totally support it."

Elaine shook her head firmly. "You can stop trying to tempt me. I know exactly what kind of person you are. You just want to see me lose control so you can enjoy watching me fall apart, right? But I'm Finnegan's woman now, and I've buried everything from my past. What I have today didn't come easy, and I know the rules. I plan to follow them for the rest of my life."