Lesia’s regretful voice resounded. “Sigh. Beautiful women are indeed a curse! Love sure can make one blind and torment one’s soul.”

James retorted, “You speak as if you’re not a woman yourself.”

Lesia responded proudly, “I am, but I would not act that way. Master, you have every right to express your reasons to Thea. She’s not a fool.

“Lyla’s intense love for you attracted a tribulation for herself. Ultimately, she chose to end things in the most extreme way. It isn’t your fault. You can’t control another person’s affection.”

James raised his head and took a deep breath. “Even so, people will say that she wouldn’t have fallen so deep if I hadn’t given her hope or rejected her early. Silence is allowing it to happen, which is betrayal. I’m a scumbag.”

He hissed, “But she never expressed her feelings for me directly. Do I have to tell every woman close to me to stay away because I have a wife? Or to warn them not to fall for me, or else they will suffer?”

Lesia burst into laughter.