Anne let out a quiet breath of relief. She had feared he might not like her gift, but his warm acceptance eased her worries.
In the past, whenever she had bought something for Denis, he would mock at her taste, dismissing her efforts without a second thought. But Augustine was different. He valued her gesture, making her feel seen in a way she hadn't before.
However, as soon as Denis's name crossed her mind, her mood darkened. His cruel words resurfaced in her memory, dimming the warmth she had just felt.
"You… it was supposed to be a gift from me," she pouted. "But you paid for it."
Augustine's lips curled into an amused smile. "My money is your money." He pulled out a sleek black card from his wallet and pushed it toward her. "Here. Keep it. Use it whenever you need."
Anne shook her head and immediately pushed the card back. "No. I don't need this. I have a job—I can take care of my own expenses."
