Chapter 307
Chapter 307:
Without another word, Colton stormed out of the room.
Kristine watched him go, her expression unreadable. Maybe he hadn’t meant for things to turn out this way — but the damage had already been done. She let her eyes drift shut and drew a long, shaky breath, a heavy weight settling in her chest.
Wanting space to think, she left her room and wandered down to the garden.
Outside, a handful of patients basked in the sunlight, some sitting, others standing alone. Their faces all wore the same tired look, deepening the quiet melancholy that hung over the garden. Kristine closed her eyes and tipped her head back, letting the sun’s warmth gradually sink in. For a moment, the sunlight was the only thing convincing her that the world still had some kindness left.
Then, all at once, a sense of being left behind washed over her. Other people had parents who loved them, or at the very least, friends who cared. For her, life had always felt solitary. She had entered this world alone and kept moving alone — her existence like a train that never paused at any station meant just for her.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗼𝗻
She opened her eyes slowly, a trace of irony flickering in her smile. Then something caught her off guard.
A short distance away, Asher sat quietly in his wheelchair, his gaze resting on her, a gentle smile playing at his lips. Sunlight caught in his eyes, making them shine with a quiet warmth that was difficult to ignore. One look in his direction, and she felt herself drawn in.
Kristine averted her gaze almost at once. Danica’s wild theories surfaced in her mind unbidden, and the thought made her laugh softly to herself, a subtle smile curving her lips.
“What brings you here again?” she called out as she walked toward him.
Sensing he wasn’t needed, Tripp quietly slipped away, leaving the two of them alone.
“I saw everything blowing up online and got worried,” Asher said. “I just wanted to check in. Are you okay p>
Kristine flashed him an easy smile. “Of course I am. I’m not that delicate. After everything I went through with Colton, I’ve heard plenty worse. Honestly, I’m just surprised you’d bother with online rumors — or read through those comments p>
Asher lowered his gaze, concealing the concern in his eyes. Only after a moment did he look up again, studying her face. “It was a coincidence. I just happened to see it p>
Nearby, Tripp tilted his head skeptically. If scouring the internet for Kristine’s name every morning could count as a coincidence, then perhaps it really was accidental.
“So we’re still going with your plan?” Asher asked.
Kristine gave a small nod.
“Okay.” Even if he didn’t fully agree with how she was choosing to handle things, he honored her decision.
Right then, her phone lit up with a call. Kristine saw Eve’s name and answered.