Chapter 31
Chapter 31:
His gaze shifted to Colton, whose color had improved slightly as he dozed. Devin decided not to mention the block — at least for now. Even so, the idea that Kristine might truly be over Colton was something he could not wrap his head around. He spent hours lost in thought, trying to come to terms with it.
A sudden movement caught his attention.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Devin exclaimed as he watched Colton yank out his IV line.
“I’m walking out of here p>
“You’re still not well p>
“I said I’m leaving p>
Devin fell silent. There was no use arguing. He knew Colton’s stubborn streak all too well. With a sigh, he went to deal with the discharge paperwork. By the time he returned, the hospital bed was already empty. Colton had gone.
It had to be Elyse pulling his strings again. She was the only one who could make Colton disregard his own health so recklessly.
𝖭𝖾𝗐 𝗐𝖾𝖾𝗄𝗅𝗒 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝗈𝗇
Resigned, Devin shook his head and left the hospital behind.
Back at the villa, Kristine was greeted by the sight of a car parked outside the entrance.
From her room the previous night, she had overheard everything — Devin whisking Colton away to the hospital. She had fully expected him to remain under observation for at least a few days, which made tonight’s appointment seem like a given loss. Yet, against all odds, he had come home early.
Noticing how pale he still looked, Kristine felt no urge to ask about it. When Bobby swung open the rear car door, she offered him a brief nod, circled around, and took the front passenger seat without a word.
The gesture caught Bobby off guard, leaving him momentarily speechless.
Colton’s gaze from the back seat grew even colder.
“Drive,” Kristine said, her tone perfectly level, as though she had not noticed the charged atmosphere at all.
Bobby shot Colton a quick glance. When no protest came, he climbed in and started the engine.
When they arrived, Kristine and Colton stepped out together. Kristine maintained her distance, trailing several steps behind him. To anyone passing by, the space between them made them look like nothing more than strangers.
Colton’s brow drew together so sharply that the lines seemed carved into stone. He stopped short. “Kristine p>
She halted and faced him with wide, seemingly innocent eyes.
Despite the dull ache still gnawing at his stomach, he pressed on through gritted teeth. “Do I really seem so terrifying? Why are you keeping your distance like I’m some kind of monster p>
Kristine flashed a gentle, harmless smile. “I just don’t want to give anyone the wrong impression. It wouldn’t be fair to Elyse if people started thinking we were still together p>
Her seemingly thoughtful reply only made Colton bristle further. A sharp, humorless laugh escaped him. “Well played, Kristine. Very clever.” Without another word, he strode off toward the elevator.
Kristine watched him go with a small, puzzled shrug.
She had genuinely been trying to be considerate toward Elyse, and it only managed to rile him up. People always claimed women were mysterious and impossible to figure out. From what she could see, men were even more baffling.
Catching sight of Colton about to disappear around the corner, she quickened her pace to catch up.