“Linsey, you-” Felix’s words died in his throat as he was completely thrown off by her indifference.
He remembered a time when Linsey had been so gentle, always speaking to him with warmth. When had she become like this? The answer came to him almost instantly-she was probably still upset about him leaving the wedding that day.
Just then, Joanna’s gaze flickered to the shopping bag in Linsey’s hand. She hesitated briefly before speaking, carefully watching Felix’s reaction.
“Linsey, what did you buy? A gift for Felix? You’re always so thoughtful, still thinking about him after everything. If only I were half as considerate as you.”
At her words, Felix’s eyes shifted to the bag in Linsey’s grasp. His previously tense expression softened.
Deep down, he had been waiting for Linsey to come back to him. She had always been like this-easily upset, but after a few days, she would inevitably return.
So when she moved out the other day, he had been certain it was only temporary.
But days had passed, and Linsey was still nowhere to be seen.
As the days dragged on, doubt crept in. Felix had been so sure Linsey would return, but now he wasn’t so certain. Was she really gone for good?
But then, Joanna’s remark struck him like a revelation-Linsey hadn’t let go. She had even gone out of her way to buy him a gift.
Instantly, his confidence returned.
His face lit up with a satisfied smile. “Linsey, I knew you wouldn’t forget my birthday. Alright, I’ll forgive you this time. Just come home, and we’ll start planning my party. Same as always-make sure all my friends are invited.”
As he spoke, his attention shifted to the shopping bag in Linsey’s hand. “What did you get me? Let me see.”
He reached for the bag, but before he could touch it, Linsey yanked it back without hesitation, her expression filled with disdain. Her voice was clipped, irritation evident. “Felix, are you an idiot, or did you just not hear a single word I said?”
Felix froze, momentarily stunned by the sheer exasperation in her tone. Then, as the realization hit, his expression darkened. Anger flared in his chest. “Linsey, how long are you going to keep this up?”
He had given her an easy way out, yet she met him with nothing but cold indifference. The nerve. She clearly didn’t know how to appreciate his generosity.
“I’ve already said this before-whatever we had is over. How long are you planning to keep clinging to me?”
Linsey’s sharp words landed like a slap, and Felix felt something twist in his chest.
For the first time, panic flickered in his eyes. Was she serious? Was this really the end?
But Joanna, standing smugly nearby, wasn’t convinced. With an exaggerated sigh, she interjected, “Linsey, come on. Who are you trying to fool? Everyone knows you’ve been crazy about Felix for years. You don’t just stop loving someone overnight.”
Linsey almost laughed at how ridiculous Joanna sounded. How long was she going to keep up this pathetic act? “Joanna, does any of this concern you? Seems like that slap I gave you last time didn’t teach you a lesson. Want me to refresh your memory?”
Without hesitation, she lifted her hand, ready to strike.
Joanna let out a startled shriek, stumbling back half a step, her face going pale.
The sting from last time was still fresh in her mind, and she had no intention of reliving it.
Felix, watching the scene unfold, barely recognized the woman in front of him. His patience snapped. “That’s enough, Linsey! Is this really how you treat Joanna? What’s wrong with you?”
Their heated argument had drawn attention, and by now, a small crowd had gathered at the entrance, eager to witness the drama.
But Linsey couldn’t care less. Unbothered by the curious stares, she scoffed, “Yeah, maybe I am crazy. So what? Want me to slap you too?”
Felix stiffened, a shiver running down his spine as he instinctively stepped back.
“Felix!” Joanna’s voice trembled as she clung to his arm, her face drained of color.
The sound of her fear snapped Felix back to his senses. Straightening his shoulders, he stepped in front of her protectively. “Linsey, stop being so difficult. I get it-you’re still upset about what happened. Let’s talk about it at home. No need to make a scene here.”
His jaw tightened as he noticed the growing number of bystanders. The last thing he wanted was to be humiliated in public. Lowering his voice, he added, “You’re here buying men’s clothes. If they’re not for me, then who else? Come on, don’t be stubborn. Let’s just go home.”
Linsey let out a soft, amused snort, arching a brow as she responded smoothly, “Can’t I buy them for my husband?”
Felix blinked in shock before a slow, knowing smile spread across his lips. “That’s right-I am your husband. Linsey, whatever you’re angry about, I’ll make it up to you with an even bigger wedding.”
Behind him, Joanna clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She seethed silently, “See? This is just Linsey’s pathetic way of getting Felix’s attention.”
Linsey’s lips curled in scorn. “Felix, don’t flatter yourself. Who said my husband is you?”
Felix’s confident expression faltered, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. But Joanna recovered faster, letting out a sharp, incredulous laugh. “Linsey, are you seriously claiming you’re married? That your husband is someone else? Do you expect us to believe that?”
She cast Felix a knowing glance before smirking. “Come on, Linsey. We all know what this is. You’re just playing hard to get, trying to make Felix chase after you.”
At first, Felix had dismissed Linsey’s words as nonsense, but Joanna’s confidence rekindled his own. “Linsey, if you’re going to lie, at least make it believable.”
His smirk turned smug as his gaze swept over her. “Everyone knows you would never marry anyone but me. You love me too much-how could you possibly belong to another man?”
Linsey was at a loss for words, baffled by the sheer audacity of Felix’s delusions.
She glanced at her phone, checking the time.
She had already wasted too much of her day dealing with Felix and Joanna.
“If you don’t want to believe me, that’s your problem. Now move.” Without another glance, Linsey stepped past them, ready to leave.
Felix’s chest tightened, and before he could stop himself, he blocked her path. “Linsey, how long are you going to drag this out?”
Impatience laced his words, but beneath his frustration, something else simmered-an unease he couldn’t shake.
There was something about the way Linsey spoke, the absolute certainty in her voice.
His instincts told him she wasn’t just saying this out of spite.
But his pride refused to accept it.
Linsey loved him. She always had. There was no way another man had taken his place.
Clenching his jaw, he forced his doubts aside and said in a low, commanding tone, “Linsey, my patience is wearing thin. You’re coming home with me today, whether you like it or not.”
“Get lost!” Linsey snapped, exasperation flaring in her eyes. “I am going home-my home. What does that have to do with you?”
Felix’s expression turned ice-cold, his voice dropping as he warned, “Linsey, don’t push your luck.”
She gave him a slow, scrutinizing once-over before scoffing. “Oh? What now? You’re mad? Thinking of punishing me? Who do you think you are, Felix?”
She then urged impatiently, “Move. You’re in my way.”
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.