Chapter 12
Chapter 12:
A deep crease formed between Colton’s brows. “I never said I wanted to be with Elyse. I’ve explained it to you countless times. She’s family to me p>
Pressing her fingers to her temples, Kristine let out a tired breath. “Alright, then do the same for me. Let me go. I want to end this p>
“No. I won’t agree p>
A wave of exhausted déjà vu washed over her. “If ending it bruises your pride, then fine. You can be the one to break things off instead p>
“I’ve already made myself clear,” Colton replied, his temper rising. “I’m not breaking up with you p>
For a brief moment, Kristine had no response. Then, quietly but firmly, she said, “Stop the car p>
“Keep driving p>
Tension seized the assistant behind the wheel.
When she realized the car was not slowing, Kristine pressed her lips together. In the instant Colton’s attention wavered, she hurled her head forcefully against the window.
𝖱e𝗮𝖽 𝘰𝘯 𝗮𝗻у 𝗱𝘦𝘷𝗂𝖼𝘦 о𝗻
A heavy thud echoed through the car, followed by her sharp cry.
The sight of blood trickling down her forehead sent panic flashing across Colton’s face. He caught her as her body slumped back. “Go to the hospital. Now p>
Stunned, the assistant immediately spun the steering wheel and sped toward the nearest hospital.
Kristine showed no mercy toward herself. The injury was deep enough to require stitches — seven in total.
From where he stood, Colton stared at her pale figure on the hospital bed and thought back to how she had endured the stitches without making a single sound. Once upon a time, she had been delicate and easily shaken, rushing to him with tearful eyes over the smallest scratch. Somewhere along the way, she had grown frighteningly resilient.
A crushing weight settled in his chest.
Earlier, he had convinced himself that her anger stemmed only from his absence at the marriage registration. Now she had chosen to hurt herself rather than remain by his side. This time, her fury felt unmistakably real.
“Kristine, I p>
His phone rang, cutting him off.
Pulling it out, he saw Brent’s name on the screen. Brent rarely contacted Colton through his own number — he usually called through Elyse’s phone — and that meant the situation was serious.
After one last glance at Kristine’s unresponsive face, Colton answered.
“Colton, when are you coming back?” Brent asked urgently. “Elyse can’t last much longer. If we still can’t find a compatible kidney donor, she… she doesn’t have much time left p>
His fingers tightened around the phone. His gaze returned to Kristine.
On the bed, she lay motionless — like a doll abandoned after its strings had been cut, her eyes dull and unfocused.
A deep crease formed between his brows. “I’ll return as soon as possible p>
Relief entered Brent’s voice. “Alright p>
After ending the call, Colton moved closer to the bed. He reached out and wrapped his hand around Kristine’s. The chill of her skin seeped into his palm.
Lowering his voice, he said, “I have to go back to Gridron to deal with something. When it’s over, I’ll come back for you p>