Chapter 139
Chapter 139:
Outside the chaos, Tripp and Kristine moved quickly through the side corridor. Hearing no one behind them, Tripp guessed Asher had managed to hold Devin back and allowed himself a small breath of relief. He stopped, pulled out his phone, and studied the hotel’s layout. “If we cut through the front section, we’ll reach the main exit. There’s likely someone waiting out there. Stay here — I’ll bring the car around p>
“All right.” Kristine gave a small nod, trying to steady her breathing.
“Stay right here unless you have no other choice,” Tripp instructed.
“I will. Please be fast p>
F𝗈𝗅lо𝘄 𝘂ѕ оn
Without another word, Tripp moved toward the car.
Left alone, Kristine looked up and spotted a surveillance camera mounted overhead. Unease crept through her, and she quickly scanned her surroundings before slipping behind a large trash bin to stay out of sight.
She had barely settled when something brushed her shoulder. The moment she turned, a cloth was pressed firmly over her mouth and nose.
As soon as he arrived in Eyling, Colton headed straight for Elyse’s residence — a three-story house set back from the road.
“Colton, you finally made it.” Spotting him at the entrance, Elyse lit up and rushed forward.
Instead of returning the enthusiasm, Colton raised a hand to stop her and placed it firmly on her shoulder. “You said you saw Patsy. Was that true p>
In an instant, the brightness in Elyse’s eyes disappeared. She understood immediately that his visit had nothing to do with her.
Two younger sisters stood behind Colton’s name. One was Luna. The other was Patsy.
Seven years earlier, Patsy had fallen seriously ill and required a kidney transplant to survive. During the donor matching process, Elyse met Patsy for the first time, and through that connection she was eventually introduced to Colton. From their very first meeting, Elyse fell for him without hope of recovery.
Back then, those days felt like the happiest period of her life — with only one shadow hanging over her thoughts. She would have to donate her kidney to Patsy. That sacrifice was the sole path she believed would give her the right to stand beside Colton.
Patsy warmed to her, and after learning of her feelings for Colton, Patsy vowed to play matchmaker once she recovered. To Elyse, that kidney became leverage. Agreeing to the donation was part of the deal, while Patsy promised to help build a future where she and Colton could be together.
Tragically, the operation did not succeed, and Patsy lost her life on the operating table. Before her final moments, Patsy made sure Colton would take responsibility for Elyse. That promise was made and kept — though only in a financial sense. After that, Colton disappeared from her life.
Panic slowly set in.
As if fate had intervened, her situation worsened five years ago when, already living with a single kidney, sudden renal failure pushed her condition into crisis. When she first woke in the emergency room, the face she saw was Colton’s, filled with visible concern.
In that instant, clarity struck her.
From that day forward, whenever she wanted to see Colton, she pretended to be sick. The approach never failed — he would always hurry to her side. With his concern so unwavering, she felt treasured, as though she were the luckiest person alive.
Then Kristine entered the picture, and everything changed.