Chapter 465
Chapter 465:
Within the Yates family, Bryanna’s word was law. No one — not even Colton — ordinarily dared to contradict her in front of others. She shifted her eyes to Kristine, silently holding her responsible for all of it.
She had noticed years ago, when they first began seeing each other, that Colton was far too attached to this woman. That was precisely why, upon learning that Colton was still supporting Elyse, she had chosen not to interfere — she had assumed the inevitable fallout would put an end to Kristine for good. She had never expected them to find their way back to each other. She certainly had not imagined Colton would be bold enough to bring her here.
Bryanna was resolved: Kristine would never officially enter the Yates family. In her mind, there was only one woman in the world suited for that role. But that person was—
She stopped herself from going any further down that road.
“Fine,” she said at last. “Since she cannot walk, have Faye assist her to the dining room p>
“Grandma,” Luna cut in quickly, “let me be the one to help Kristine p>
Kristine caught the look in Luna’s eyes and felt her suspicion rise immediately. There was nothing kind in that expression. She was working out how to refuse when Colton’s voice cut cleanly across the room.
“No need for that p>
𝘔𝗼ѕ𝗍 𝗋е𝘢𝘥 𝗍𝗵i𝘀 𝘸e𝘦𝗸 𝘰ո
Kristine looked at him, surprised.
“I’ll be her legs today,” Colton said evenly. “Wherever she needs to go, I’ll take her.” He lifted her and carried her toward the dining room, leaving the rest of the family standing in bewildered silence.
After a long pause, Luna said quietly, “What did he mean by that p>
Neither Bryanna nor Victoria had an answer, though both wore the same expression of tight, simmering irritation. What, exactly, was Colton trying to prove?
The statement had been impossible to misread.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was oppressive. Bryanna sat at the head of it looking displeased and lost in thought. The others kept their eyes on their plates, unwilling to say a word and equally unwilling to be drawn into whatever was simmering beneath the surface.
Kristine was the only one who appeared entirely untroubled by it all.
Having already eaten, she had no appetite, so she occupied herself by observing the family members around the table. A few faces were familiar — the same ones who had once helped Luna make her life miserable. When her gaze settled on them now, they squirmed and looked away, suddenly very interested in their food.
The silence stretched on until Luna set down her chopsticks with a bright, brittle smile. “Kristine, you like fish, don’t you? Here, let me give you a piece.” She placed a portion onto Kristine’s plate.
Kristine glanced down at it and allowed herself a small smile.
Luna had chosen the gills — the most pungent, unpleasant part of the fish. Entirely predictable.