Chapter 8
Chapter 8:
Watching the tears gather in Kristine’s eyes stirred an irritation in Colton that he could not explain. Soon after, panic settled in his chest — a quiet, unsettling feeling that something vital was slipping beyond his reach.
“If I had nothing to do with it, then what reason was there?” he said. “Was it to return home? But didn’t you already walk away from that family p>
Kristine went still. “Where did you hear that p>
Her decision to study in Gridron had been deliberate — she had wanted every tie with Monica completely severed. No one had ever been told the truth behind that choice. Yet somehow, Colton already knew.
Rеco𝘮𝗺𝗲𝘯d t𝗼 уо𝗎𝗿 𝘧𝗋𝗶е𝗇𝘥𝘴
“For seven years, you chose to stay in Gridron and never once went back,” Colton said. “Does that not explain everything p>
Whatever fragile hope had briefly surfaced in Kristine’s eyes disappeared just as quickly. She should never have expected him to offer her anything more. At least she had learned to steady herself again — the ache no longer felt like something being torn apart inside her.
Slowly, her eyes dropped to the wrist Colton still held tightly.
“Let go,” she said with calm resolve.
A sudden tension seized his chest. That sharp, unyielding side of Kristine unsettled him deeply. What he missed was the woman she used to be — gentle in tone and restrained in spirit, never one to confront him head-on.
“I’ve had enough,” he said harshly. “Failing to appear at the courthouse for the marriage registration was my mistake — I’ll admit that. But isn’t this reaction going too far p>
Genuine confusion crossed Kristine’s face. With a surge of effort, she tore herself free from his grasp and walked away without sparing him a glance.
Now it was Colton who stood there, caught off guard.
Was she truly this furious?
Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and called Bobby. “Find out when Kristine came back to Peudon p>
“Got it,” Bobby answered.
The shock that followed confirmed it. Kristine really had returned to Peudon after all.
Guided by streets etched into her memory, Kristine managed to locate the late-night eatery. By the time she finished her meal, the clock had crept past three in the morning. There was no longer any need to worry about returning late and disturbing Colton — and as she walked back to the hotel, she was in a good mood.
That ease disappeared the instant she opened the door and found Colton seated on the sofa, his expression dark and unwelcoming.
She checked the room number to be certain she had not entered the wrong place, then said coldly, “This is my room p>
“What kept you out so late?” Colton asked. The dim light concealed most of his face, leaving only the sharp outline of his features visible, his voice carrying the same detached coolness as always.
“I’ll come back whenever I choose,” Kristine retorted. “Who are you to question me or demand to know my whereabouts?” She gestured toward the door. “Can you leave p>
A deep crease formed between Colton’s brows. “I came here to settle things, not to fight. I didn’t show up when we were supposed to process the marriage paperwork, and that was on me. Whatever you want as compensation, I’ll provide it p>
“There’s nothing I want,” Kristine replied evenly. Beneath the warm glow of the light, her refined features appeared distant and composed. “Colton, this is the end for us p>
All restraint finally slipped from his grasp. Rising from the sofa, he filled the room with an unmistakable sense of pressure. “I already asked Bobby to look into it. You reserved this luxury suite a full week ago — timing that lines up perfectly with when he came to Peudon to discuss the partnership p>
A sharp, mocking laugh escaped Kristine. “So now you believe I checked into this hotel just to wait around for you?” The accusation sounded almost too ridiculous to address.
“With proof sitting right in front of you, do you still plan to deny it?” Colton pressed.
Her lips barely parted before the words came out. “Get out p>
Displeasure settled heavily across Colton’s face. She had crossed a line this time. Plenty of compromises had already been made on his end — why did she keep pushing? The only thing that had happened was a missed appointment for the marriage registration. With so many days in a year, changing the date should not have made any difference.
Closing the distance between them, he reached down and swept her up into his arms.
The sudden loss of solid ground startled Kristine, and her hands clutched at his neck on instinct. When awareness caught up, she thrashed against him. “Put me down. Colton, let go of me p>
Recovery had not fully returned to Colton’s body. A lingering pain remained in his stomach, refusing to ease. Despite that discomfort, he forced himself to carry her toward the bed. Once she was lowered onto the mattress, his strength gave out, and his weight fell against her.
A trace of helplessness slipped into his usually steady voice. “Stop p>
Tension immediately locked Kristine’s body in place. Warm breath grazed her neck, and her heartbeat reacted before she could stop it — but what rose inside her was not excitement. It was a wave of revulsion.
She turned her face toward him and met his eyes without flinching. “Don’t you find yourself disgusting? If Elyse knew about this, wouldn’t it hurt her p>
Whatever warmth lingered in Colton’s gaze faded little by little. Pulling himself upright, he withdrew from her. “Elyse isn’t as narrow-minded as you p>
Something heavy dropped in Kristine’s chest. She shifted her gaze to the moonlight spilling through the window and released a quiet, humorless laugh. Of course that was how he saw it. To Colton, Elyse represented purity without a single flaw — someone like her could never be compared to what he considered her narrowness.
With a quiet breath, she shut her eyes and deliberately ignored his presence beside the bed. Sleep eventually claimed her.
Morning arrived. When her eyes opened again, the space beside her was already empty.
An odd hollowness settled in her chest, yet relief followed closely behind. After what had happened last night, she was certain Colton would no longer hold on to her.
She reached for her phone and checked the time.
Thursday.
Tomorrow was the day she and Asher were meant to complete the marriage paperwork.
Inside the reception room of Edwards Group, Asher maneuvered his wheelchair toward Colton and extended his hand. “It’s been a pleasure working with you p>
“Likewise,” Colton answered, accepting the handshake before their hands separated.
With an easy tone that sounded like idle conversation, Asher asked, “When do you plan to leave Peudon, Mr. Yates p>
Kristine’s face surfaced in Colton’s thoughts without warning. This time around, her anger had been unmistakable. Even as sleep claimed her the previous night, tears had lingered at the corners of her eyes.
Throughout all the years they had spent together, he had never once stopped to console her. Back then, whenever Kristine felt wronged, she would steady herself before he noticed and return to him with a smile as if nothing had happened. Because of that, he had always assumed she did not need comfort. Now, it was clear that she did.
Even so, easing the tension between them would not be difficult.
“I’ll remain here for a few more days,” Colton replied.
“Is that so?” Asher spoke with a mild smile that carried a subtle sharpness. “That works perfectly. I’m finalizing my marriage paperwork tomorrow, and there will be a small celebration afterward. You’re welcome to join us, Mr. Yates p>
“All on the same day?” Colton asked.
“That’s right,” Asher replied. “Since it’s an arranged marriage, we’re keeping things simple — just a modest gathering with a few close friends p>
In Peudon, the Edwards family held undeniable influence, and such a restrained arrangement naturally stirred Colton’s curiosity about the woman involved.
“And the woman you’re marrying is?” he asked.
A restrained smile played in Asher’s eyes as he declined to answer. “I’d rather keep that to myself. This match isn’t exactly honorable. My future mother-in-law initially wanted her younger daughter to marry me. Once she realized I was disabled, she redirected the arrangement and offered me the older daughter instead — the one she values the least. My fiancée has had it rough. You’ll understand when you finally meet her p>
A slight narrowing of Colton’s eyes followed. He sensed there was more hidden beneath Asher’s explanation, yet curiosity did not turn into concern. A few courteous words were exchanged, and Colton ended the conversation and walked away.