The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Casper walked up to Jessica and said, "Steven was in the wrong here. Don't take it to heart."

"I think Steven lacks respect for others, and he's not the right fit for me," Jessica replied, her eyes locking onto Casper's. "And honestly, I don't even like him that much. So, I don't see the point in continuing this."

Even if they stayed together, Steven would always believe that his success was entirely due to his talent and effort. He'd likely think his partner hadn't contributed much to his achievements. And sooner or later, when younger, more attractive women appeared around him, he'd find some excuse to cheat.

Jessica could almost see her future unfolding before her eyes, and it wasn't a life she wanted.

Casper understood what she was saying. "Then, would you be willing to be with me? I know you still have feelings for me. And lately, I've been earning enough to support us. If you're willing to give us a chance, I promise I'll treat you better than Steven ever did."

Jessica hesitated before responding, "Steven said that if I left him, he'd just find another woman. What about you? Would you do the same?"

Casper quickly shook his head. "No. You're the only woman I'll ever love in this lifetime."

Jessica replied, "I'll give you one more chance. But if you disappear from me again like last time or ignore me, I'll vanish from your life forever. I won't come back."

"Deal," Casper agreed.

After they got back together, graduation was just around the corner. Casper had originally planned to move to the city where Jessica's family lived, but his parents insisted he return home first to familiarize himself with the family business. After discussing it with Jessica, they decided to go back together.

Casper and Jessica got their marriage certificate first, then used Casper's savings to throw a grand wedding, and later bought a house together.

In the beginning, before Gary and Julia were involved, they lived a happy life. Jessica was gentle and caring toward him, and he felt incredibly lucky to have found a woman who treated him so well.

But who could have predicted what would happen next?

Once Casper started working at the company, his parents stopped paying him a salary. As he didn't want Jessica to suffer through hard times with him, he took on side jobs.

Fortunately, his earlier work provided a solid foundation, and his former classmates, who had landed jobs at big companies, passed him projects that paid well. His workload at the family company wasn't too heavy, so he managed to balance work and home life.

During that period, Casper told himself that Jessica could live a comfortable life as

long as he endured a little more hardship. It seemed worth it.

But his parents, seemingly determined to make things difficult, started showing up at their home every few days, nitpicking at Jessica. They accused her of being with him only because of his family's wealth; if they were poor, Jessica would never have chose him.

Jessica, afraid that the pressure from work and family would become too much for Casper, kept all of this to herself. She endured it silently. It wasn't until later that Casper realized Jessica had never truly had a peaceful day during the time they were together.

When Gary and Julia realized their words weren't having the desired effect, they escalated their demands. They insisted that Casper and Jessica move to their home.noveldrama

Jessica didn't want to go, and neither did he, but his parents confronted them, threatening to cut ties with Casper if they refused to comply.