Chapter 43
Chapter 43:
Every memory of dressing boldly to catch Colton’s attention resurfaced at once — and the impatience she had once noticed in his eyes now stabbed straight through her chest. So that was the reason he had never touched her. Because he believed she was beneath him.
Every ounce of love she had ever possessed had been given to Colton. Every trace of tenderness had been offered without reserve. Seven years of her youth, traded for those words.
How absurd. In the end, she had become nothing more than a joke.
“Leave.” Kristine forced the word out quietly as she turned to face Elyse, who sat in the wheelchair wearing a self-satisfied smile.
With deliberate calm, Elyse replied, “Kristine, I still have a very special gift for you p>
She leaned forward — and her body slipped out of the wheelchair.
Thе 𝗯e𝘴𝘵 𝘳е𝗮𝖽𝘪𝗇𝘨 𝗲𝘹𝘱𝖾rieո𝖼e 𝘰𝘯
A sharp crash echoed as it hit the floor. The noise immediately drew Brent in from the doorway.
“Kristine, Colton and I really have nothing between us!” Elyse gasped. “You… you don’t have to hate me this much p>
Concern flooded Brent’s face when he saw Elyse sprawled on the floor. Anger surged the moment he noticed Kristine standing there, unmoved. “Kristine, you’ve gone too far. Elyse is sick. How could you treat her this way p>
Nothing shifted across Kristine’s face.
Almost immediately after, Colton rushed in. The instant Elyse saw him, resentment flooded her gaze and her body began to shake. None of that registered with Colton — all his attention was fixed on Elyse on the floor.
“What happened p>
Before Kristine could say a word, Elyse spoke up. “Colton, this has nothing to do with Kristine. I was the one who misspoke.” She let out a faint sniffle. “It hurts, Colton. It really hurts. Please take me to the hospital p>
A crease formed between his brows as Colton glanced at Kristine — and only then did he notice how frighteningly pale she looked. He turned back to Elyse curled on the floor, pinched the bridge of his nose, hesitated briefly, and then lifted Elyse into his arms and headed for the door.
Once the sound of footsteps on the stairs faded into silence, reality finally caught up with Kristine. She sank onto the floor as though every string holding her upright had been cut at once.
Later at the hospital, Brent examined Elyse and whispered to Colton, “You really should keep Kristine in check. Elyse came with good intentions, yet Kristine shoved her to the floor. Who treats kindness like that p>
Rubbing his temples, Colton replied coldly, “Who said Kristine pushed Elyse p>
Brent had no words for a moment. Only then did he realize that Elyse had never actually said Kristine pushed her.
With his attention fixed on Elyse, Colton asked, “Did Kristine push you p>
The blame rose in Elyse’s throat — she wanted to shift everything onto Kristine — but the quiet danger in Colton’s voice made her hesitate. Left with no alternative, she said, “Brent, you misunderstood. Kristine didn’t push me. I got worked up and lost my balance on my own p>