Chapter 187
Chapter 187:
“That’s not happening!” He clutched the device tighter and raised his arm, holding it out of reach. Then his posture slowly unraveled, and he bowed his head, voice slipping into a defeated whisper. “Can’t you just pretend for a moment p>
A suffocating ache pressed against Kristine’s chest, stealing her breath.
Back when she had loved Colton without restraint, she couldn’t recall him ever offering her so much as a comforting lie. Every time Elyse’s name flashed across his phone, he answered immediately — right in front of her — no matter how much she had wished, just once, that he would put her first. No matter how desperately she had wanted even a small kindness, even when she swallowed her pride to beg for it.
For a moment, Kristine shut her eyes and drew in a slow, steady breath. When she opened them again, her voice was composed. “You need to stay out here and sober up p>
Without another word, she reached for her keys and unlocked the door. Colton would hand her phone back eventually once he sobered up.
She hadn’t even stepped fully inside before Colton darted past her and slipped into the apartment first.
Annoyance rippled through her. Calling the police crossed her mind, but with her phone still in his possession, that wasn’t an option.
Left with no better plan, Kristine quietly shut the door behind her. “Colton, you’re clearly drunk. I’m not going to waste my energy fighting with you tonight p>
Without giving him another glance, she walked straight to her bedroom.
𝘜𝗉d𝗮𝗍е𝘀 𝖾𝗏𝘦𝗋y wе𝖾k 𝗼n
As she disappeared down the hallway, Colton stood watching. The cloudiness in his eyes gradually faded.
Back in her room, sleep refused to come. She tossed and turned for hours — oddly enough, not because of Colton, but because she hadn’t showered yet. He was still in her apartment, and she had no idea whether he had fallen asleep.
After what felt like forever, Kristine finally gave up. She crept to the door and listened, holding her breath for any sign of movement. Only when the silence stretched on did she ease it open.
Tiptoeing into the living room, she spotted Colton fast asleep on the sofa.
Silver moonlight spilled through the tall windows, casting pale ribbons across his face and sharpening every line of his features, making him look even more intense than usual. A soft, cream-colored blanket covered him.
Kristine recognized it immediately as her own favorite.
She would have to throw it away.
Shaking off the thought, she studied Colton again. Whether he was genuinely asleep or simply feigning it, she couldn’t be sure. After a moment’s hesitation, she took a cautious step closer. When he didn’t stir or flutter an eyelid, her nerves began to settle.
Normally, Colton was the kind of person who snapped awake at the slightest disturbance. Even when he dozed, the faintest sound or movement was usually enough to rouse him instantly. Tonight, though, the alcohol seemed to have pulled him under completely.
Feeling reassured, Kristine turned to walk away.
In an instant, Colton’s hand closed around her wrist. “Don’t leave p>
A jolt of panic shot through her, freezing her in place.