Chapter 40
Chapter 40:
The Kristine etched in his memory had once been lively and radiant — much like a sunflower that always turned toward the light. Back then, her laughter had a way of warming his chest without any effort on his part. At some point, that sunflower had lost its color and begun to fade.
“Kristine…” Colton opened his mouth more than once before forcing the words out. “I’m sorry p>
Kristine hesitated for only a moment, then resumed climbing, her movements steady and unhurried.
A low, humorless chuckle escaped him. “The Reed family is going to collapse soon. When that happens, no one will ever dare speak to you like that again p>
Kristine stopped and turned around. Standing a few steps above him, she looked down as though observing the world from a great distance, her gaze filled with unmistakable mockery.
“What exactly does the Reed family’s ruin have to do with me? Or are you implying that you destroyed them on my behalf?” Her eyes sharpened. “Be honest with me, Colton. Are you seriously expecting me to feel moved by this and come crawling back to you p>
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The crease between his brows deepened. “You misunderstood me. I only wanted to make it clear that Elyse and I were never a couple, and that you were never standing in anyone’s shadow p>
With a faint tilt of her head, Kristine replied, “Have you ever heard that the woman who is not loved is the real other woman? I used to think that saying made no sense — now I finally understand why it exists. A title means nothing on its own. True happiness comes from being genuinely loved.” Her eyebrows lifted slowly. “And there is something else you should know. The Reed family is not going bankrupt p>
With that, she walked into her room without another glance, leaving Colton rooted where he stood.
He could not stand the quiet self-mockery in the way she spoke. At the same time, he found himself wondering where her sudden certainty about the Reeds had come from.
Only a few minutes passed before the doorbell rang with sharp urgency.
Claire opened the door and froze. Elyse sat in a wheelchair on the other side, her face pale and tears gathering in her clear eyes.
“Is Colton here?” Elyse asked.
“Yes, he is.” Without even announcing her arrival, Claire stepped aside and allowed Brent to wheel Elyse into the living room.
At the sight of her, a vein throbbed hard at Colton’s temple. “Why are you not resting at the hospital? What brought you here p>
Without warning, Elyse pushed herself out of the wheelchair and collapsed onto the floor. “Colton, please show some mercy. Let Mackenzie’s family go p>
Shock flickered through Colton’s eyes, and Kristine’s final words rang sharply in his mind. Slowly, his gaze lifted toward the second floor.
“Give me a reason,” he replied, his voice stripped of warmth.
“Mackenzie is my best friend. Yes, she was wrong for calling Kristine what she did — but does that mistake really justify ruining her entire family?” Elyse’s voice wavered as she continued. “Colton, I’m begging you. Do this for me. Let it end just this once p>
After her plea, Elyse looked up at him, unease visible in her expression.