Chapter 15
Chapter 15:
A deeper shadow settled over Colton’s face. With irritation showing plainly, he loosened his collar and strode out of the room. Confusion spread among the others as they watched him go, none of them able to understand what had triggered his mood.
Even Devin sensed something was off. He raised a brow, got to his feet, and went after him.
Several minutes passed before Devin found Colton on the balcony. Bathed in the pale glow of the night, his silhouette carried an unmistakable sense of solitude.
Stepping closer, Devin studied his sharp profile from the side. “You don’t look like you’re enjoying yourself tonight. I doubt this has anything to do with Kristine leaving. Is this about Elyse p>
Lifting his glass, Colton took a slow sip of red wine. “And why are you so certain it isn’t about Kristine p>
Devin answered without hesitation. “You should be relieved now that she’s gone.” He was handsome in his own right, though unlike Colton’s sharp and distant presence, his features were gentler and far more approachable. Certainty colored his voice as he continued. “Wasn’t Kristine the person who irritated you the most p>
𝗕𝗲 𝘁𝗁𝗲 𝖿𝗶r𝘴𝘁 t𝘰 𝘳𝗲𝖺𝖽 𝗼𝘯
A crease formed between Colton’s brows. At what point had Kristine ever been a source of irritation to him?
Noticing the doubt in his expression, Devin pressed on. “Think about it. Every time we got together and Kristine called, you always ended the call quickly p>
The memory surfaced — but annoyance had never been the reason. What he had wanted was to keep the crude conversation at the table from reaching her ears.
Catching the tension on Colton’s face, Devin casually draped an arm over his shoulder. “Relax. She’ll show up again in a few days.” That had always been the pattern before. Kristine never managed to stay away from Colton for long.
“This time, she went back to marry Asher Edwards,” Colton said, leaning his head back as he took another drink. The bitterness of the alcohol burned its way down his throat.
Shock flickered across Devin’s face.
Only after a long silence did he speak again. “You’re not messing with me, are you p>
Colton turned slightly to face him. There was not the slightest trace of humor on his striking features.
Even then, disbelief lingered heavily over Devin. The woman who once followed Colton everywhere had actually returned to Peudon to marry someone else. That notion felt completely impossible — more unlikely, even, than him surpassing Colton to become the wealthiest man in Gridron.
Several mouthfuls of wine later, Devin finally steadied himself. “So you two broke up p>
A sharp, bitter ache rose in Colton’s chest, and he had no desire to acknowledge it.
“Isn’t that supposed to be good news?” Devin went on. “No one standing in you and Elyse’s way now p>
A deep frown settled on Colton’s face. “Why would you think there was ever anything between Elyse and me p>
Confusion crept into Devin’s expression. “Weren’t you already a thing? When Elyse went overseas for treatment, Kristine stepped in and became your girlfriend. Now that Elyse is back, Kristine leaving sounds reasonable p>
For a brief moment, Colton’s thoughts went blank. “Elyse and I were never together. Who put that idea in your head p>