Once She Came Like a Flash novel Chapter 47

**TITLE: Faith Didn’t Survive Time – by Aadi Sharma**
**Chapter 47**

Adam navigated the space around the table with a practiced ease, his words flowing like honey as he offered toasts, each compliment dripping with insincerity. He was a master of flattery, weaving a web of charm that he hoped would ensnare those in power.

Renee, however, reclined in her chair, her expression betraying her disdain. The sight of Adam ingratiating himself to those in authority made her stomach churn, as if she were swallowing something foul. It was a nauseating experience, one that gnawed at her insides, leaving her feeling unsettled and uneasy.

Her gaze lingered on Adam, and for a fleeting moment, the image of the dashing young man she once knew flickered in her mind, a ghost of their shared past. But that memory was quickly overshadowed by a profound sense of disconnection that settled heavily upon her.

He had transformed into someone unrecognizable, a stranger in the skin of the man she once adored.

Renee’s mood was far from buoyant. The wine coursing through her veins had her feeling lighter than air, yet it did little to lift her spirits. Before she could exercise restraint, her hand reached for her glass, seeking solace in the liquid to wash away the bitter taste that lingered on her tongue.

She raised her drink, turning to Jasper, her lips curling into a small, almost playful smile. “Mr. Zeller, this one’s for you,” she announced, her voice carrying a hint of mischief.

Jasper’s eyes sparkled with an amused curiosity as he leaned back slightly. “And what exactly are we toasting to?” he inquired, his tone light yet probing.

Renee paused, the question hanging in the air like a challenge. After a moment’s contemplation, she shrugged nonchalantly. “To fate,” she declared, her voice steady, though her heart raced with the implications of her words.

Jasper didn’t respond verbally; instead, he lifted his cup, taking a deliberate sip, while Renee, eager to drown her thoughts, downed her drink in one swift motion.

But she wasn’t finished yet. With a determined glint in her eye, she poured herself another glass, lifting it once more, her gaze unwavering. “This one’s for you too,” she said, her voice firm yet light.

Jasper arched an eyebrow, intrigued. “And what’s this toast for?” he asked, leaning in slightly as if to catch the weight of her words.

Renee pondered for a moment, her mind racing. “Out of all the people in the world, we somehow crossed paths. And, well… you did save me once,” she said, a hint of nostalgia coloring her tone.

She wasn’t entirely lost to the effects of the alcohol. Holding up two fingers, she chose not to elaborate further, aware that she didn’t want to stir the waters with unnecessary complications.

The other guests at the table, however, dismissed her words as the ramblings of a tipsy woman, unaware of the deeper currents swirling beneath the surface.

Renee smiled, a playful glint in her eyes. “That’s fate too. I’ll drink to that. You can drink however you prefer,” she added, her voice light and teasing.

Adam hadn’t witnessed her like this in ages, and it struck a chord deep within him, reminiscent of the night she had confessed her feelings while intoxicated.

Now, watching her interact so freely with another man ignited a simmering anger within him, a rage that he struggled to contain.

“Cheers, Mr. Zeller,” Renee proclaimed, raising her glass and lightly tapping it against Jasper’s.

Jasper, clad in a fitted black shirt with the top two buttons undone, exuded a casual confidence. One hand rested by his side, holding a cigarette, while the other gripped his glass lightly, showing no sign of lifting it.

He simply gazed at her, his dark, unreadable eyes betraying nothing. His features were cool and composed, yet Adam noticed the subtle tension in Jasper’s jaw and the slight movement of his throat as he swallowed.

As a man himself, Adam recognized the signs all too well.

A wave of fury surged through him, his fists clenching tightly as he fought the urge to storm over, to drag Renee away from this scene and remind her of the bond they shared.

Damn it! How could she sit there so brazenly, throwing herself at another man right before his eyes?!