Chapter 107
Chapter 107:
Her stomach rumbled in response, and she made no move to refuse. She lifted the lid and breathed in the rich aroma. “This smells amazing p>
“Don’t rush. There’s plenty,” Asher said, settling back and watching her eat with genuine pleasure. His smile was soft, warming even his eyes.
Kristine sipped slowly, letting the warmth ease her hunger before she set the cup aside and met his gaze. “Thank you for bringing this. It really hit the spot. But about our agreement — I want out p>
A flash of disappointment crossed Asher’s face, though he quickly masked it with a gentle look. “Can I ask why p>
“I’ve got other things to take care of,” she answered quietly.
Her goal was simple now. She needed to stay close, long enough to see Elyse pay for everything she had done.
Not pressing her further, Asher simply nodded. “You’re sure this is what you want p>
“Yes p>
ո𝗈𝘷e𝘭𝘴 𝗂𝘯 𝘵𝗿еո𝘥 оո
“All right. If you ever reconsider, I’ll always be open to working with you, Kristine.” He flashed her a smile. “I suppose we’re friends now. You should call me Asher p>
“All right,” she responded, and the smile that followed seemed to brighten her whole face.
Outside the room, Colton stood frozen in place, the sight of Kristine smiling at Asher searing itself into his memory. In his hand, he still held the bag of takeout Claire had brought for her. He stood motionless for a moment before his clenched fist slowly relaxed. Then he turned and walked off down the hall.
Kristine finished the soup, and after a moment, Asher wheeled himself out. Moving through the hallway, he caught sight of the bag of takeout left behind on a chair. He paused, picked it up, and dropped it into the trash without a word.
Elsewhere, harsh fluorescent lights shone over Elyse as she wept without restraint. “I need to see Colton. Please, let me see him p>
Devin sat at her bedside, fighting the urge to sigh out loud.
Since the moment Colton woke up, he had barely left Kristine’s side. Elyse, on the other hand, had spent every day after her surgery sobbing and pleading to see him. Her constant begging had worn Devin’s nerves raw. If not for his loyalty to Colton, he would have walked out long ago.
“If Colton wants to visit, he’ll come. That’s all there is to it,” Devin said, cutting through her cries. “If he isn’t here, it means he’s got other things to deal with p>
Tears filled her eyes as Elyse turned to him. “Devin, please — I just want to see him. Can you talk to him for me p>
There was a time when Devin might have tried to help her. But after witnessing her cold refusal to let Brent see her one last time — she had claimed it would only make things harder for him — any pity he had felt had vanished. The truth was plain enough: she simply didn’t want to see Brent, even though he had nearly killed Kristine on her behalf. That choice had made Devin see her in a much harsher light.
“Why can’t you just p>