Chapter 103
Chapter 103:
Colton lowered his eyes to the blade buried in his body, then raised his head again. His stare turned glacial. “Explain it to me, Brent. Why was your scalpel pointed at her p>
A fractured laugh tore out of Brent. “Why? Because she is the problem. She is the sole reason you and Elyse never ended up together. She ruined everything. I was getting rid of what stood in the way p>
Pain surged through Colton’s chest, forcing a sharp breath from him. “I have already told you this. I never loved Elyse. To me, she has always been a sister p>
“Then explain your actions. Why do you drop everything the moment she calls? If you feel nothing for her, why let her believe otherwise p>
𝘓𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯
Colton’s expression hardened. “She chose to donate a kidney to save Patsy. Before Patsy passed away, her final request was that I look after Elyse. I gave my word, and I intend to honor it p>
Confusion overtook Brent’s face. “So you never loved Elyse at all p>
“Not once p>
The words struck Brent like a physical blow. “So even if Kristine had never existed, you still would not have chosen Elyse p>
“That is correct p>
Defeat washed over him completely.
At that moment, Bobby and Justin rushed in and seized Brent. With no strength left to resist, he crumpled to the floor, utterly broken.
Uncertainty flickered across Bobby’s face as he looked toward Colton.
Colton closed his eyes. “Take him away. I do not want to see him again p>
“Understood p>
Together, Bobby and Justin led Brent out of the operating room.
“All of you — leave p>
No one moved immediately. Eyes lingered on the scalpel’s handle and the blood soaking through Colton’s surgical gown.
“Get out!” he shouted.
Within seconds, the room cleared.
Silence settled over the operating room at last.
Slowly, Colton turned back to Kristine and reached out his hand toward hers. Blood dripped from his arm and marked the white floor in dark red splashes. When his fingers found hers and intertwined, the touch steadied him.
Moments later, the strength drained from his body. He leaned forward until his forehead came to rest gently against the edge of the table beside her.
A dream stretched on endlessly, vivid enough to feel real.
Within it, Kristine found herself eighteen years old again. Rows of desks surrounded her as she sat in a familiar classroom. One by one, the teacher asked each student where they hoped to attend university. As the nation’s capital, Peudon was home to the most elite schools, and naturally, nearly every classmate named a university based there.
When it was her turn, Kristine chose a school in a southern city.
Confusion rippled through the classroom. Several students stared at her as if she had lost her mind.
What none of them understood was that she had never felt happier than she did in that moment. The thought of a future far away from Monica and Jemma filled her with real anticipation.