“What are you laughing at?” The question slipped out before she could think better of it.
Still amused, Collin replied, “Linsey, are you saying you can’t bear to be apart from me? I had no idea I was this irresistible to you-that you’d be so worried about me.”
His tone dipped into something almost intimate, a teasing edge curling at the end.
Or maybe it was just her imagination running away with her. His playful remark sent a rush of heat to her face. Why had she blurted that out?
It wasn’t like she meant anything more by it.
Flustered, she pressed the cool back of her hand to her burning cheeks. “That’s not what I meant,” she huffed, scrambling to defend herself.
Before she could get another word out, Collin cut her off, his voice warm and steady. “Don’t worry. For the next few days, I’ll be home, waiting for you to come back from work.”
The unexpected promise caught her off guard. A gentle pull tightened around her heart, the fleeting emotion quickly giving way to unrestrained joy.
A quiet warmth spread through her chest. She couldn’t hold back the happiness swelling inside her.
For the first time in years, someone had said those words to her. So, she really did have a home-somewhere she was expected, somewhere someone was waiting for her.
“Alright. You said it yourself,” she murmured, biting her lip lightly.
Collin’s voice held an easy, almost lazy charm. “I wouldn’t go out of my way to lie about something like that just to mess with you.”
After the call ended, Linsey sat still for a moment, clutching her phone. The warmth of his words lingered, wrapping around her like a gentle embrace.
If Collin said he would be home waiting for her, then he would be.
Her thoughts drifted to him-he spent most of his time in the study, relying on his wheelchair to get around.
By now, the image of the man she had seen in the CEO’s conference room had faded to the back of her mind. She must have been mistaken. Smiling, she slipped her phone into her bag, already thinking about what she could get Collin as a small gift after work.
Even though he had sounded relaxed during their call, she still wanted to bring him something-maybe something to brighten his mood after his earlier irritation that morning.
Once work ended, she headed straight to a nearby mall.
She hadn’t settled on what to buy yet and was aimlessly wandering through the stores when a cheerful voice called out.
“Ma’am, care to take a look inside? We just got a fresh batch of new arrivals!”
“Sure,” Linsey said, stepping toward the store. She didn’t have anything particular in mind, so it wouldn’t hurt to browse.
Linsey stepped inside and immediately began browsing through the men’s clothing on display, her eyes scanning each piece with quiet deliberation.
The sales assistant, ever perceptive, addressed her with a friendly smile. “Ma’am, are you shopping for a gift today?”
Linsey gave a small nod. “Yes, I’m looking for something for my husband.”
“Let me show you a few styles. That way, you can decide what would suit him best.” The sales assistant gestured for Linsey to follow her deeper into the store.
Though Linsey’s outfit wasn’t particularly extravagant or branded, the sales assistant maintained the highest level of professionalism.
There was something about Linsey’s presence-an effortless elegance that set her apart. And then there was her face, strikingly beautiful, impossible to overlook.
She attentively presented several options from the store’s collection, carefully explaining each one.
Linsey examined them thoughtfully, her mind drifting to Collin’s wardrobe-filled with the same monotonous, somber tones he always wore. If she was going to get him something, she might as well choose something that would bring a little change.
Even so, she was practical. She wouldn’t pick anything too bold.
After some careful deliberation, she finally settled on a deep burgundy outfit. “This one should work. The size looks about right. Could you wrap it up for me?”
The sales assistant’s face brightened. “Of course, ma’am.”
As she prepared the purchase, she couldn’t help but admire Linsey’s refined taste. Her sharp eye for fashion was undeniable.
A small pang of envy surfaced. Linsey’s husband was certainly a lucky man.
If she were a man, she wouldn’t hesitate to want someone like Linsey by her side.
Unaware of the sales assistant’s amusing thoughts, Linsey followed her to the counter to pay.
Just then, a surprised voice rang out from the store entrance. “Linsey? Is that really you? What a surprise! I never expected to run into you here. This is amazing!”
Linsey turned toward the voice, and the light in her eyes dimmed in an instant.
Standing in the doorway were none other than Joanna and Felix-two people Linsey hadn’t seen in days.
If anything, this was her luck taking a nosedive.
Joanna had the audacity to act like nothing had happened, flashing Linsey a shameless grin.
But Linsey wasn’t about to let her get away with it. She let out a cold, scornful laugh, her sharp gaze cutting straight through the pair. “A surprise? Hardly. I was having a perfectly good day until you two showed up. Guess that’s over now. Next time, I’ll think twice before shopping-wouldn’t want to risk another unfortunate run-in.” Without sparing them another glance, she grabbed her shopping bag, ready to walk away. Wasting even a second more on them wasn’t worth it.
But Joanna wasn’t about to let her leave so easily.
She had pictured this moment differently. She had expected Linsey to be miserable, barely holding herself together.
That way, she could flaunt her happiness, standing beside Felix as if she had won.
Yet now, as Joanna subtly sized Linsey up, she found no trace of heartbreak or resentment. All she saw was sheer disgust.
“Linsey, come on. Are you really still mad at us?” Joanna curved her lips into a sweet smile, stepping closer as she spoke in a soft, coaxing voice. “No matter what, we’ve been friends for so many years. Since fate brought us together today, why not sit down for a meal and catch up? Wouldn’t that be nice? It’s been ages since the three of us had a real heart-to-heart.”
Feigning warmth, she reached out, trying to take Linsey’s arm.
“Wait.” Linsey swiftly sidestepped, raising a hand to stop Joanna in her tracks. “Don’t give me that. Whatever game you’re playing, I’m not interested. Honestly, just hearing you makes my skin crawl.”
Linsey’s words were brutally direct. Though Joanna was skilled at putting on an act, her smile faltered for a brief moment.
She quickly recovered, turning to Felix with a pitiful expression, her eyes brimming with grievance.
Felix met her gaze, an instinctive urge to defend her kicking in. He stepped forward, wrapping his arms protectively around the supposedly fragile Joanna, then shot Linsey a look of disapproval.
“Linsey, Joanna didn’t mean anything by it. Was that really necessary?”
Linsey didn’t even spare Felix a glance. Her face remained impassive as she gave a slow nod. “Oh, I know. She means no harm. But I do. Happy now? Now do me a favor and keep your distance. My patience has already worn thin from work-I don’t need this on top of it.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.