Chapter 38
Chapter 38:
The moment Mackenzie loudly labeled Kristine the other woman for all to hear, Colton’s mood instantly darkened. Others in the crowd had chimed in one by one, and Kristine stood at the center of it all, alone.
Colton’s jaw tightened, the air seeming to drain from his lungs. “Is this really what everyone thinks of Kristine?” His voice came out strained and raw.
Devin met his gaze, visibly taken aback. “You never realized? Once you kept traveling abroad to see Elyse, people started talking. The whispers only grew louder when Elyse came back.” He studied Colton with renewed interest. “Colton, tell me honestly — is Kristine truly the other woman p>
Despite their years of friendship, personal matters had always been left alone between them. But pressure built inside Colton’s chest, making it difficult to breathe. Even Devin believed Kristine had inserted herself between him and Elyse.
“She isn’t,” Colton said, setting the record straight. “There is nothing between Elyse and me p>
Devin rubbed the back of his head. “So if nothing happened with Elyse, why did you go so far p>
“Go find Mackenzie,” Colton cut him off sharply. “Get answers about Kristine’s whereabouts p>
Devin had nothing left to say.
Daylight crept in.
𝖣о𝗇’𝘁 𝘮i𝘀ѕ ո𝖾𝘸 r𝗲𝘭𝗲𝘢𝘀𝖾𝗌 𝗼𝘯 gаlո𝗈𝘷e𝗹𝘀.со𝗺
When Kristine woke, her phone was buzzing with notifications. Every message was from Vance.
“Kristine, did you turn on the news yet p>
“Maybe you’re still sleeping. When you wake up, make sure to watch TV p>
“Colton came here searching for you. Don’t worry — I didn’t reveal your address p>
Kristine switched on the television and immediately saw her face and information splashed across every local channel. She realized at once that Vance’s silence no longer protected her.
She had never imagined Colton would go to such lengths to track her down.
Then the broadcast shifted. A face filled the screen, and recognition flickered in Kristine’s eyes.
It was Mackenzie — the very same woman who had confronted her at the restaurant the night before. Yet on screen, she was almost unrecognizable. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and fresh tears streamed down her face as her gaze lifted to meet the camera.
“Kristine, if you’re watching this, I want you to know I’m truly sorry. I made a mistake. I never should have accused you of being the other woman without knowing the facts. Mr. Yates set the record straight for me. There is nothing between him and Elyse, and there never was. It was all a misunderstanding on my part p>
Kristine sat motionless, watching Mackenzie’s tearful confession.
Only Colton’s considerable influence could have produced a public apology broadcast live on television. That realization carried its own weight. She sank back into the sofa, feeling unmoored, as if she were drifting without direction.
Four years. For four long years, Colton had never once spoken up about his relationship with Elyse. It was only now, when her hope had vanished entirely, that he chose to clear the air.
His intentions were as inscrutable as ever.