Chapter 42
Chapter 42:
The sheer size of Kristine’s bedroom stunned her — luxury surrounded her no matter where she looked. A handcrafted sofa sat neatly against one wall. A thick, elegant rug covered the floor. Wealth was evident in every corner.
Jealousy flared sharply when her eyes landed on the massive wall of clothing. Each item bore the name of a renowned designer. Every piece was unmistakably haute couture, and all of it was breathtakingly beautiful.
If only illness had never taken hold of her life.
A faint creak sounded as the door shifted behind her. Startled, Elyse quickly composed herself, forcing the wild look from her eyes before turning her wheelchair around.
From the bathroom doorway, Kristine appeared — her hair damp, her presence fresh from the shower.
Envy rushed violently through Elyse once more. Under the gentle lighting, Kristine’s skin looked smooth and flawless, touched with a natural rosy glow. Everything about her figure appeared perfectly proportioned, with curves falling exactly where they belonged.
Clutching the armrests of her wheelchair, Elyse tightened her grip until her knuckles turned pale, and she struggled to keep her voice even.
“Kristine, you must be surprised to see me here. Colton was the one who sent me. He said the place I am staying in now — the one you and he had planned to move into after marrying — feels far too cramped. Once we are married, he thinks it would be better for me to move here instead. That is why he asked me to come and see the place for myself p>
“Do whatever you like,” Kristine answered, her voice carrying clear indifference.
She crossed the room and retrieved a hairdryer from the wardrobe, moving with effortless calm.
Watching her, Elyse clenched her teeth against her lip. “You don’t actually believe what I told you, do you? Mackenzie did say on television that there was nothing between Colton and me — but that was only done to keep you from doing something reckless. When you disappeared yesterday, Colton panicked. He asked Mackenzie to say those things to steady you p>
𝖭𝘦w 𝗐е𝘦𝗸𝗅𝘺 chа𝗉𝘵𝗲𝗿s оո 𝘨а𝘭ոо𝘃е𝘭𝘀.c𝗼𝘮
None of it seemed to reach Kristine. She asked evenly, “Are you done looking around? If so, would you mind leaving p>
No matter how hard Elyse pushed, Kristine’s expression never shifted, and that absence of reaction slowly wore at her.
“I’m finished.” She began to roll toward the door, then appeared to recall something and turned back to address Kristine’s back. “Colton told me that even after four years together, the two of you never slept together. Is that true p>
The hairdryer nearly slipped from Kristine’s grasp. Her fingers tightened around it until the color drained from them. “I truly didn’t expect you to enjoy digging into your boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend’s private life p>
A crooked smile tugged at Elyse’s lips. “That’s not exactly it. Colton once explained to me why he never crossed that line with you p>
Kristine’s grip tightened further.
“He said it was because you were out of his league,” Elyse said plainly.
Those words detonated inside Kristine’s mind.