Chapter 174
Chapter 174:
His grin took on a mischievous twist. He drew in a slow breath and fixed his gaze on her. For the first time, the playfulness in his eyes faded, replaced by something earnest and warm.
In that instant, Kristine felt as though she had stepped back into the gentler days of her youth.
“Kristine, fancy words mean nothing compared to an honest heart. That is why I want to ask you this — could you give me a chance p>
A faint flicker crossed Kristine’s eyes. The feelings were not there, yet the sincerity in his expression reached her all the same. Even so…
“Please do not turn me down just yet,” Vance quickly added, clearly sensing where her thoughts were headed. “Take some time to think about it, and tell me your answer when you are ready p>
Her eyes lingered on his reddened face, and in the end, she could not bring herself to be cruel. She nodded.
Relief washed over Vance in an instant. A shy smile slowly spread across his face.
Amusement tugged at her. “Is this the first time you have ever confessed to someone p>
𝗧𝘩𝗲 𝖻𝘦𝗌t 𝗋𝖾𝖺dіn𝘨 𝖾𝘹𝗉𝖾𝘳𝗂𝖾𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼n
His face darkened to an even deeper shade of red.
Lifting his head, he noticed the elevator had already stopped on the twenty-eighth floor. “This is your floor,” he said, breaking the moment.
Kristine glanced toward the open doors, then back at him. “I’ll go in now p>
Vance nodded. They shared a brief look before Kristine stepped out. Her keys were barely in her hand when the elevator doors slid shut behind her.
A soft sigh escaped her as she stared in that direction. She feared she would end up hurting Vance — she simply didn’t feel the same way.
Just as she reached for her door, heavy footsteps echoed behind her. When she turned, Colton was standing there. She froze. Only then did she notice the box in his hands, though she had no idea what it held.
She looked away and chose not to acknowledge him. His friend’s apartment sat directly across from hers. Even with his rare visits, his presence still felt like an irritation. She was already thinking about moving out once her lease ended when Colton closed the distance between them without warning.
“Kristine!” He grabbed her wrist with brutal force, as if he meant to crush it.
Pain surged through her. She lifted her head just as fingers clamped onto her jaw — and without warning, something cold crashed against her lips, sharp and merciless, like steel cutting through every defense she had.
Shock jolted her chest, and she shoved at Colton with everything she had. His body didn’t yield — solid and unmovable.
Desperation took over, and Kristine bit him hard.
A bitter, metallic taste filled her mouth.
Nothing about Colton changed. The kiss remained brutal and consuming, stripped of all restraint, as though he meant to devour her whole.
At last, he let her go. The fire in his eyes burned with unrestrained fury.
“You’re a lunatic!” Kristine scrubbed at her mouth, fury and shame burning her cheeks, then darted inside and slammed the door shut behind her.
Dread overtook her.