Carol was utterly taken aback, her tears suddenly ceasing. "He's your husband?" she exclaimed. The man's striking good looks were undeniable.His extraordinary appearance and charisma made him stand out in a crowd. It was almost surreal to think he was Imogen's husband.Gregory, too, was momentarily stunned, and his surprise evident in his expression. Quickly composing himself, he said, "Ash, please come in and have a seat.""Thank you," Jasper replied, placing his suitcase down before settling into a chair. As he took in the shabby interior of the house, a sense of unease crept over him.With a swift effort to regain her composure, Carol brushed away her tears and hurried off to brew some coffee. As Jasper settled into his seat, Gregory's scrutiny intensified, his gaze holding a mysterious depth.Jasper's palms grew clammy, his back stiffening as he felt the weight of Gregory's stare. His eyes flitted around nervously, unable to settle on a reassuring focal point.Under Gregory'

Jasper found himself caught between amusement and frustration.Noticing Jasper's discomfort, Gregory quickly caught on and hastily clarified, "Ash, don't worry about it. I was just teasing you."Besides, Imogen was just a young girl back then and was entirely engrossed in her studies. Romance was the last thing on her mind. Let's just consider it a bit of good-natured banter.""I understand," Jasper replied with a polite smile.As Gregory poured more coffee for Jasper, the latter accepted it graciously, cradling the cup with both hands. "Thank you.""Keep in mind, Ash, you're the man Aunt Eloise believes is the perfect match for Imogen, and our entire family puts faith in her judgment."We're not seeking wealth or status. All we ask is that you treat Imogen with care and that you both support each other in marriage.""I understand, Dad." Upon hearing Gregory's elevated expectations and effusive praise for the fictitious Asher, Jasper felt his heart sink deeper into a hollow ache

Jasper countered, "And what about you? How many boyfriends have you had before?"Imogen's reaction faltered slightly, a complexity flickering in her gaze. Swiftly, she lowered her head, her tone heavy as she replied, "None."Jasper couldn't miss the despondency in Imogen's response. Sensing something amiss, he pressed on, "While you may not have dated, I'm sure you've had feelings for someone before, haven't you?"Imogen offered a wry smile, arching an eyebrow at him. "Well, we've all had our companions, haven't we? No one betrayed anyone, so let's not dwell on the past, okay?"Jasper sensed he had touched upon a sensitive subject; it was apparent that Imogen cherished someone deeply. However, constrained by circumstances, she settled for whoever came her way.Reflecting on this, Jasper felt a twinge of unease. "Well, who was the one who initially brought up this topic?" he questioned."Sorry," Imogen apologized.Nevertheless, Jasper persisted, unwilling to let the matter slide.

As Imogen turned, she noticed Ethan approaching with a tissue in hand, his steps eager.With a gentle touch, he wiped the water from her face, his voice comforting. "You know you can always confide in me. We've been best friends for so long."Grabbing the tissue from his hand, Imogen's tone soured. "How could you just leave your pregnant wife and come rushing over here? It's not only unfair. It's downright despicable.""I was worried about you." Ethan's voice quivered with concern. "If they bother you again, just tell me. I'll always be here to protect you. I—""That won't be necessary." The voice that disrupted the silence wasn't Imogen's. It resonated from the man coming down the stairs.With each elegant stride, Jasper descended. Imogen and Ethan both lifted their gazes.Jasper was adorned in a flawlessly tailored black suit, exuding an aura of unmatched elegance and refinement.Despite their previous interactions, Imogen couldn't help but find herself captivated by Jasper's

Imogen walked into the kitchen and started preparing the vegetables. "Dad, let me do it. You can rest for a while.""You've been working all day, so you must be tired. Let me cook. You can rest.""I'm not tired," Imogen said as she guided Gregory out of the kitchen. She firmly said, "I'll do the cooking tonight."Gregory had lost his legs, so he used to walk with his hands. A few years ago, he spent thousands on a prosthetic leg but was swindled with a poor-quality one. Now, standing too long caused him pain, and he walked with a limp."Alright then," Gregory replied with a contented smile.Imogen busied herself in the kitchen while Gregory drank tea in the living room. Half an hour later, she made two plates of paella, a salmon omelet, and a bowl of Greek salad."Dad, dinner's ready."Gregory walked over to sit down. He looked at the food on the table and then at Imogen.Imogen sat down and used her cutlery to serve Gregory some food. She said, "Dad, let's eat." However, Grego