Blinking away the daze, she slowly regained her senses and found herself staring into Collin’s eyes.
There, reflected in the deep pools of his gaze, she caught a glimpse of her own face-flushed, vibrant, alive.
Collin’s Adam’s apple bobbed visibly as he swallowed hard, his struggle to maintain composure palpable.
Drawing in a deep, steadying breath, he spoke in a hoarse whisper, his voice tinged with restraint. “I’m a bit hungry. Could you check on the kitchen?”
Her heart skipped a beat at his intense look, reminiscent of a wolf starved for days. It stirred a flutter of panic within her, sparking her instincts into sudden action. She nodded briskly, pushed herself up using his shoulders for leverage, and hurried toward the kitchen.
As she moved, a giddy thought danced through her mind. She actually kissed Collin!
Meanwhile, Collin remained seated, his gaze lingering on the space Linsey had just vacated. The heat of their previous close encounter hung in the air, a tantalizing reminder of their proximity. He savored the residual warmth on his lips, fingers clenched into fists at his sides. He knew he had to be patient, to let the moment breathe. This wasn’t something he could afford to rush.
After making a quiet escape, Linsey didn’t immediately head to the kitchen. Instead, she veered off course, slipping into the bathroom with a sense of urgency.
With a quick flick, she locked the door behind her and rushed to the mirror perched above the sink. Her reflection was startling-her face blazed a bright crimson that crept up to her ears and dipped down her neck, while her eyes brimmed with unshed tears, giving her the appearance of a freshly boiled shrimp.
She gaped at her own image, taken aback by the intensity of her flushed complexion, something she had never witnessed to such an extent before.
Taking a steadying breath, Linsey leaned forward and splashed her face with cold water, each handful more desperate than the last, seeking relief from the scalding heat that seemed to emanate from her very pores.
She spent several long minutes in front of the mirror, gradually regaining her composure as the coolness seeped deeper, easing the fiery flush.
Once she felt somewhat composed, she exited the bathroom and made her way to the kitchen. There, she busied herself reheating the breakfast alongside the servants, even adding a few extra dishes to enrich the morning spread.
“You can take the breakfast over,” Linsey instructed after a moment of contemplation. Her voice was calm, belying the turmoil inside. One of the servants blinked, taken aback by her directive. “Mrs. Riley, aren’t you coming with us?”
She fabricated a quick response, the lie smooth and practiced. “I’ve already eaten, and I have some matters to attend to. Please, go ahead without me.”
The memory of Collin’s intense gaze lingered in her mind, a vivid image she wasn’t ready to confront again. Her heart still skipped at the thought.
“Yes, Mrs. Riley,” the servant answered before carrying the lavish breakfast tray out of the room.
Linsey quietly slipped back into her bedroom, needing a moment to gather her thoughts. The memory of that lingering, tender kiss sent a fresh wave of heat rushing to her face, her heart thudding against her ribs all over again. Right now, she had no idea what to make of her relationship with Collin.
They were married, yet they had barely known each other for long. Had she been too forward by kissing him like that? Would he think she was being too bold?
Her nerves twisted, but she quickly forced herself to calm down. They were husband and wife, after all. Holding hands or sharing a kiss shouldn’t feel like something to overanalyze. It was perfectly normal… right?
She thought back to their wedding night-she had even helped him unbutton his shirt. She hadn’t bathed him, but she had caught a glimpse of his sculpted, muscular chest. Without warning, that image resurfaced in her mind-his broad shoulders and the sharp definition of his waist. For someone who couldn’t walk, it must have taken incredible effort to maintain a figure like that.
Her face burned hotter. Biting her lip, she screamed inwardly for what felt like forever. Unable to handle it, she yanked her blanket over her head and buried her face in it, willing herself to settle down. It took ages before she could breathe normally again.
Then, her phone suddenly rang, jolting her out of her daze. Startled, she grabbed it and glanced at the screen. It was Dolores Davidson, her best friend, calling.
Dolores had been her closest friend, someone she had met at the orphanage. Even though their personalities had always been different-Dolores had a strong-willed nature and effortlessly took charge among the other kids-they had formed a bond that nothing could break. Back then, Linsey had been an easy target for the older children, but the moment Dolores took her under her wing, no one dared to lay a finger on her.
As they grew older, Dolores had chosen a different path, striking out on her own to build a business from the ground up. Dolores now ran a thriving company, her schedule packed year-round. Even though they rarely had time to catch up, their friendship had never wavered.
When Linsey saw Dolores’ name flash on her screen, a wave of excitement rushed through her. Without hesitation, she picked up. “Dolores!”
There was a buzz of background noise on Dolores’ end-it sounded like she was at the airport.
“Linsey, are you free right now? I just landed. Let’s meet up,” Dolores said.
“Of course!” Linsey answered without missing a beat. This was a rare chance. No matter how busy she was, she wasn’t going to pass it up. It had been way too long since they had last seen each other.
They quickly settled on a cafe and agreed to meet in thirty minutes. Linsey wasted no time getting ready and soon arrived at the cafe. After ordering their usual coffees, she settled in to wait.
“Linsey!”
Hearing her name, she looked up to see Dolores striding toward her in sleek high heels, radiating confidence with every step. She wore a chic, understated trench coat, her makeup effortlessly flawless, and her waves falling in perfect, voluminous curls that matched her bold personality.
Linsey smiled and gestured for her to sit. “Dolores, come on! I already got your usual-black, no milk, right?”
Dolores chuckled, her lips curving into a knowing smile. “I knew you’d still be as thoughtful as ever.”
She took a slow sip of her coffee, but her expression shifted almost instantly. Her eyes locked onto Linsey with a piercing intensity. “I heard you got married. What’s going on?”
Linsey froze, completely caught off guard. “How did you find out?” So much had happened recently, and with Dolores always busy, Linsey hadn’t wanted to disturb her. She hadn’t even found the time to tell her yet.
The moment Dolores heard Linsey’s words, she erupted.
“Linsey! What the hell is going on with you? I thought those rumors were total bullshit. You really got married and didn’t even bother to tell me? What kind of friend does that? How could I be the last one to find out you’re married!” Her voice cracked with a mix of anger and betrayal.
As she glared, her eyes blazing, Linsey rushed to explain, her voice tinged with panic. “The wedding… it was all so rushed. I stupidly took Felix’s advice to keep it low-key. His parents were adamant about not having friends or family there, promising we’d have a real celebration later, once Felix’s career was more stable…”
Dolores’ anger deepened, her face contorted with frustration, yet her eyes betrayed a flicker of sympathy for Linsey.
“You naive girl! It’s your wedding we’re talking about here-how could you not include your friends and family? What absurdity is this? To let your special day be nothing more than a formality?”
Sighing, Dolores continued, “I can’t wrap my head around why you wasted your time on that useless scumbag, Felix. You let your emotions cloud your judgment. And honestly, Linsey, there were times I was really fed up with you. Between the stress at work and then this…”
Linsey offered a sheepish grin, reaching out tentatively. “Dolores, I messed up. Please, can you forgive me?” Her voice was soft, filled with regret and a plea for understanding.
As expected, Dolores’s anger toward Linsey didn’t last. After all, Linsey was ensnared in this mess more than anyone.
With a weary sigh, Dolores’s tone softened, though her words retained a sharp edge. “That insufferable Felix and his despicable family-they’ve shown you nothing but contempt. He only dares to behave so recklessly because he’s aware of your affection for him.”
She paused, her features knitting together in concern as she regarded Linsey. “What can I even say? Marrying a man like that-how could you dream of happiness? And to think, you didn’t even confide in me before the wedding.”
Linsey’s lips quivered slightly as she hesitated. It dawned on her that Dolores was still in the dark about her secret union with Collin. In a gentle murmur, she said, “Felix didn’t get the chance to make me feel sad.”
Dolores’s gaze hardened, a mix of anger and disappointment shadowing her expression. “Fine, let’s assume Felix didn’t get the chance to make you sad. But Joanna has always been a thorn in your side. You’d be wise to keep an eye on her.”
Despite her frustration, Dolores’s concern for Linsey was palpable. Witnessing this, Linsey couldn’t suppress a soft chuckle, a surge of warmth flooding her.
Indeed, she had been a complete idiot-falling for a worthless piece of shit like Felix. Had it been anyone else, they might have abandoned her by now. But not Dolores. Despite her claims of annoyance, her deep-seated care for Linsey shone through unmistakably.
Linsey clenched her jaw, more resolute than ever-she wasn’t about to let love turn her into an idiot again. Men could spice up life, but she would never let one consume her world again.
“Linsey, you need to stop giggling,” Dolores admonished her, eyeing Linsey’s lighthearted demeanor with disapproval. With a quick flick of her wrist, she tapped Linsey’s forehead, a gentle reprimand meant to instill some seriousness. “Here you are, laughing away without a care in the world at such a critical time. Honestly, you’re beyond help-completely oblivious to any peril.”
Linsey’s reaction was swift; she caught Dolores’s hand mid-air, her eyes earnest. “Dolores, please, don’t worry about me. I’ve cut ties with that jerk for good,” she assured, squeezing Dolores’s hand gently.
Dolores’s brows knit together in confusion. “What are you talking about? Didn’t you marry Felix?”
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.