Chapter 73
Chapter 73:
She had never imagined that Colton would be the one to report her company. From everything she could see, his only purpose had been to trap her in Gridron. None of it made any sense. She had already removed herself from the picture. She had even given her quiet blessing to him and Elyse, without resistance. Yet still he refused to let go.
She would not deceive herself into believing his actions were driven by love.
Only one explanation fit. As long as Elyse had not fully recovered, Colton intended to squeeze whatever usefulness she still had out of her.
Slowly, Kristine turned her face toward the window. The late-afternoon light washed over her features and exposed every trace of pain she had been holding back. A sharp, humorless smile formed on her lips.
“Colton, you honestly disgust me p>
Shock crossed his face. “I had no idea you were hospitalized p>
𝗥𝗲а𝖽 𝗍h𝗲 𝗹𝘢𝗍𝖾s𝘁 t𝗋e𝗇dѕ 𝗈ո.с𝗼𝗆
Without hesitation, Kristine raised her hand and pointed toward the door. “Leave. I don’t want to look at you p>
His voice hardened. “Kristine, I know I made assumptions, and I know that was wrong — but you won’t even let me explain. Don’t you think that’s unfair p>
Cold settled into her eyes. “Yes. I’m being unfair. If you want fairness and reason, go talk to Elyse. Why are you here wasting time on me p>
A weary sigh followed as Colton pressed his fingers to his temple, unable to identify what had triggered her anger this time. No matter where the conversation went, Elyse always came up.
“I’ve already begun searching for a donor who matches Elyse,” he said. “Once the surgery is done, I’ll arrange for her to recover at a specialist facility overseas. After that, she won’t interfere with anything here p>
A brief laugh escaped Kristine — sharp and completely devoid of warmth.
It was unbelievable to Kristine that Colton still believed there was something left to fix between them.
If she confronted him about the report, he would justify it without hesitation. She already knew that.
“Is that so?” A thin, cutting smile slowly took shape on her lips.
Discomfort flickered across Colton’s face. He despised that expression — something about it felt sharp and defensive in a way that made him instinctively uneasy.
“Yes,” he said.
“Alright.” Kristine dipped her head, her fingers curling tight into her palms beneath the blanket.
For now, she needed to soothe him and lower his guard. Only then would she have any chance of getting away.
Seeing the hostility drain from her and her manner turn compliant, Colton visibly relaxed. His shoulders loosened, and his mood improved. He reached for the bowl, scooped up some soup, and guided it toward her mouth.
“It’s not too hot. Try some p>
Back when illness had left her weak and miserable, she used to imagine Colton at her side, caring for her. In reality, he never came. That imagined moment had finally arrived — yet the sweetness she had once longed for had twisted into something unbearable.
“I can handle it myself.” Kristine straightened in the bed.
“You’re not well. Let me feed you.” Concern edged his voice.
She shot a brief glance in his direction and silently reminded herself to be patient. Then she leaned forward and accepted the spoon.