Chapter 231
Chapter 231:
Vance chased after her, but he had barely reached the doorway when Helen’s piercing voice echoed through the room. “Don’t come any closer! Take one more step and I’ll jump. You’re already sending me to prison anyway. I have no dignity left. I might as well finish it now p>
“Helen, stop this,” Vance said sharply, urgency clear in his voice. “If you face it, accept the punishment, and take responsibility for what you did, you’ll still have a chance to rebuild your life once you’re released.” He tried to talk sense into her.
Tears streamed down Helen’s face as she stood there, chin raised in stubborn defiance. “If I end up in prison, do you really think Ryan would still want me?” she sobbed. “I’m your sister. Your own family. How can you treat me like this? How are you going to face Mom and Dad? Take care, Vance p>
“Don’t do it!” Vance yelled.
Standing outside, Kristine heard the chaos erupting within, and only then did she truly grasp why Colton had once said that staying with Vance would only make things difficult for him. She gently placed the bottle beside the door, then turned and left without looking back.
The following morning, Kristine sat in her car at the entrance of Crestwood, her eyes fixed on Colton, who was already waiting by the neighborhood gate.
A faint, contemptuous smile curved across her lips. Everyone knew Colton valued punctuality, yet it was almost unheard of for anyone to keep him waiting. Only Elyse ever managed to make him bend that far. Despite his constant insistence that he didn’t love her, the truth was that his feelings ran far deeper than he realized.
Kristine pulled the car to a stop directly in front of him. In the very next moment, he slid into the passenger seat, carrying with him a light minty scent that quickly replaced her lingering fragrance inside the car.
Displeasure flickered across Kristine’s face. She started the engine before Colton even had time to secure his seatbelt.
“So, are you going to tell me where the doctor is now?” Colton asked, his voice low and compelling.
𝘙𝘦а𝖽 𝘧𝗋𝖾𝖾 𝗻о𝘃е𝗅𝘀 𝘰ո
Keeping her gaze fixed on the road ahead, Kristine replied, “Not yet p>
Colton’s brows drew together. “You’re dragging this out just because you p>
His words faltered when his eyes caught the faint redness around Kristine’s eyes. A sudden ache struck his chest. “Because of Vance p>
“I’m driving,” Kristine cut in, her tone cold and final. “Do not speak to me. I’ll let you know when it’s time p>
She tightened her grip on the steering wheel, even as a faint tremor ran through her fingers.
Last night, she had set the bottle down and walked away without turning around. Deep down, she had feared that Vance would ultimately side with Helen. That choice would have made sense — yet the thought was more than she could endure.
Growing up, she had always been the one left behind. Monica had done it. Colton had done the same. After finally meeting someone who seemed to care for her without reservation, she had allowed herself to believe she might not be abandoned this time. In the end, she realized how naive that hope had been.