Chapter 66. Rejection

Vanessa's POV

Inside were luxury bags and shoes, dresses... Two Hermès Birkin bags. One beige, one red. I heard they cost a fortune, and I couldn't help but think why he'd get them for me.

The shoes looked like they were made from diamonds and angel feathers. Shiny bracelets and matching earrings, and then designer dresses with the softest fabrics I had ever felt.

I blinked. “No… no, I can’t take these. I haven’t done anything to deserve this.”

Andre leaned forward, voice stretched, and I could swear I sensed his irritation there. “It’s rude to reject a gift, Vanessa.”

“But—”

“Vanessa,” he cut me off softly. “Just accept them. Please...”

I stared at the bags. At the perfect bows. My fingers trembled. All my life, I'd never gotten anything for free from strangers. If he was giving this much, clearly he'd want something in return, and I had none—nothing to give back.

When I looked up again, he was no longer seated.