Chapter 16
Chapter 16:
“Didn’t you personally tell the media that she was someone you would protect p>
Rubbing his temples with long fingers, Colton replied, “I did say that. But my words were about protecting her — not claiming she was my girlfriend p>
Devin stared at him, plainly confused. “Aren’t those two things basically the same? If she isn’t your girlfriend, then why go that far for her p>
For a brief moment, Colton had no answer.
Having known him since childhood, Devin caught the rare weariness on his face and nudged him lightly with his elbow. “So tell me — what exactly is going on between you and Elyse p>
“Nothing at all p>
That answer only deepened Devin’s disbelief. “Then explain this to me. You openly say you’ll protect her. You give her the only luxury sports car of its kind” — a faint pang crossed his expression at the mention of the car — “and you even skipped registering your marriage with Kristine just to pick Elyse up from the airport p>
To Devin, there was only one word for that. Love.
𝗥е𝘢𝗱 𝗳𝗋𝘦𝘦 𝘯о𝘷𝗲ls 𝗈n
Colton’s eyes slowly narrowed.
He did treat Elyse well. But love had never been the reason. The truth lay somewhere else entirely.
Colton brought the glass to his lips, letting the bitterness linger on his tongue.
“I have my own reasons, but there’s no love between Elyse and me,” he said, his voice steady. “Everything I said in front of the cameras about protecting her was just to keep the reporters in check. Nothing more p>
A sharp click of Devin’s tongue broke the silence. “Have you ever bothered telling Kristine any of that p>
No answer came from Colton.
Devin gave his shoulder a pat. “You know, with everything you have going for you, finding someone better than Kristine wouldn’t be hard p>
Colton brushed his hand off. “She’ll be back p>
Surprise flickered across Devin’s face. “Didn’t she go and marry Asher p>
“It didn’t happen,” Colton said flatly.
Devin stared at him, struggling for words. Kristine had clearly reached her breaking point this time. Most women would never forgive a boyfriend who lavished another woman with affection and then failed to show up for the marriage registration. Yet Kristine, with her gentle nature, had kept giving Colton chance after chance. People gossiped behind her back, saying she was the type to endure anything without fighting back.
“Colton, maybe it’s time you moved on.” Devin’s tone softened. He thought that Kristine leaving might be the best thing for her — she had spent years at Colton’s side with nothing to show for it but heartbreak. It was hard not to feel sorry for her.
Colton’s glare silenced him at once.
After leaving the hospital in Peudon, Kristine made her way directly to the Arbfact Institute to formally begin her new position.