Once She Came Like a Flash novel Chapter 31

**Faith Didn’t Survive Time – by Aadi Sharma**
**Chapter 31**

Renee’s curiosity piqued as she caught sight of the approaching figures. Her brow furrowed slightly—what could they possibly be doing here? Hadn’t Adam mentioned he would be out of town for work commitments?

A soft, bemused scoff escaped her lips as she observed the group making a beeline for Jasper. Chris, with his usual casual demeanor, quickly introduced them, and she could see the forced enthusiasm in their smiles, so exaggerated that it seemed their faces might shatter under the strain.

Then, with a nonchalant gesture, Chris pointed to a woman seated beneath a nearby umbrella and remarked to Adam, “Hey, you’re late. Your wife’s been waiting for you.”

“My… my wife?” Adam stammered, his voice barely above a whisper, disbelief etched across his features.

His gaze darted toward the umbrella, and there she was—Renee, perched gracefully, her eyes fixed on them. As soon as Kayla noticed her, her expression soured, irritation bubbling just beneath the surface. She tightened her grip on her golf club, rolling her eyes in exasperation.

“Seriously? Why is she everywhere we go?” Kayla muttered, her voice low but laced with venom.

Adam shot her a warning glance, a silent plea for her to keep her thoughts to herself.

He cleared his throat, an awkward laugh escaping him. “Uh, yeah… car trouble on the way. Took longer than I expected. You guys go ahead. I’ll catch up with Renee.”

Jasper, swinging his club with a casual grace, wore a smirk that suggested he found the entire situation amusing, though he remained silent.

Kayla’s glare lingered on Renee for a moment, her frustration palpable, but then her attention shifted to Jasper, who stood tall and lean. He was clad in a pristine white athletic outfit that highlighted his sculpted arms and athletic build. A baseball cap shielded his eyes, but even from this angle, his striking features were unmistakable—thick eyelashes framing piercing eyes, a straight, prominent nose, and an overall aura of calm confidence that radiated from his handsome face.

In that moment, Kayla’s thoughts raced: ‘Oh my God! That’s Jasper? The heir to the Zeller family fortune? I’ve heard of him, but I never imagined he would look like… this!’

She had always pictured Jasper as an average-looking man, but the reality was a revelation—he was like a vision from a dream, an embodiment of wealth, power, and jaw-dropping good looks. How could someone like him even exist?

A hole-in-one might be impressive, but it came with its own complications—there was a price to pay to keep the excitement under wraps.

While the crowd continued to fawn over Jasper, Adam made his way toward Renee, his expression darkening with each step.

“You followed me here?” he asked, his voice low and edged with frustration.

Renee, sipping her juice and hoping for an explanation or at least a chance to mend things between them, was taken aback by the immediate accusation. She hadn’t anticipated that he would confront her so aggressively right off the bat.

When silence hung between them, Adam pressed on, his tone sharper. “I’ve been out of town for work. Just got back today. Mr. Jackson asked me to meet the CEO of Everest Group, which is precisely why I’m here. And you actually followed me here? Renee, you’re crossing a line.”

He assumed that she had made inquiries at his office, discovered his whereabouts, and intentionally shown up here ahead of him. The weight of his words hung in the air, thick with unspoken tension.