Chapter 84
Chapter 84:
For a brief moment, sympathy stirred in Luna when Elyse stepped in to protect her. The truth, however, was far less innocent. From the beginning, Elyse’s appearance tonight had been carefully arranged by her. Earlier, she had made sure Elyse knew that Kristine would be attending, and had planted the idea that Colton intended to announce an engagement. She had no idea who the fiancée would be, and she did not care. If Kristine ended up miserable, the outcome was already a success.
With that thought, she sent Kristine a self-satisfied look.
Instead, she found Kristine quietly lifting her fork and continuing her meal, without the faintest trace of pain in her expression.
“Kristine, is eating really all you care about right now?” Luna asked, irritation breaking through.
At that moment, it was as if everyone else remembered Kristine was still seated there. One by one, their gazes shifted in her direction. What caught them off guard was how completely unmoved she appeared.
Kristine set her fork aside and gently wiped her lips. “You need food to keep your strength up. Otherwise, where would you find the energy to keep talking p>
She then turned toward Colton with a mild smile. “Were you not about to announce an engagement? Why stop halfway p>
That composed smile made Colton feel as though sharp pins were pressing beneath his skin.
“Go ahead then, Colton,” Luna chimed in with barely contained excitement. “Tell everyone who you plan to marry p>
“Colton —” Elyse’s coughing grew more intense. “I really want to know which woman is lucky enough to become your wife p>
A faint twitch passed over Colton’s eyelids. That harsh, grating cough scraped against his nerves and wore his patience thin.
𝘔o𝗋𝖾 𝘯о𝘃еl𝘴 о𝗻.с𝗼𝗆
“Elyse p>
A wave of shocked gasps moved through the room.
Lowering his voice, he spoke with forced gentleness. “You are not well enough for this. I am taking you back to the hospital p>
Before she could respond, he turned the wheelchair around and began pushing her out of the ballroom. Confused whispers spread as guests exchanged uncertain looks.
What Colton had just said already gave Kristine her answer. More telling still was the fact that he chose to leave with Elyse. That single action revealed whose feelings carried the most weight for him.
The guests regarded Kristine with sympathy.
Luna stepped closer, her chin lifted in triumph. “Do you see now? Colton was never going to choose you p>
A faint curve touched Kristine’s lips. She lifted her glass of water, tipped it deliberately, and let the contents pour over Luna’s head. “Stop pestering me. If you try this again, I will show you what drowning truly feels like p>
Shock froze Luna as she wiped the cold water from her face and stared.
Had she completely lost her mind? How could she keep humiliating her without hesitation? Did she really believe she couldn’t convince her brother to cut her off for good?
Kristine set the empty glass aside, turned, and walked away without another word.
Inside the elevator, she pressed a hand against her chest.
Although her thoughts no longer clung to Colton, her body still lagged behind that truth. A heavy ache remained — stubborn and uninvited.
She stepped out without waiting for the sensation to pass. At this moment, freedom mattered more than anything else.