At the mention of a chance encounter, Evelyn’s shrewd eyes flickered toward Nate, noting how his expression subtly challenged that characterization.
“My dear, you’ve captured my heart at first sight,” Evelyn continued, her gaze lowering in a theatrical display of loneliness.
“Would you consider visiting me sometime? This busy grandson of mine barely spares me a moment. Such is the fate of a solitary old woman.”
Corrine began to decline, but the sight of Evelyn’s silver hair stirred memories of her own maternal grandfather. Her resistance melted, and after a thoughtful pause, she acquiesced with a gentle nod.
“I would be happy to visit.”
Evelyn’s manufactured melancholy instantly transformed into radiant joy.
“Wonderful! I’ll have Nate escort you personally.”
“Oh, that’s…” Corrine glanced at Nate, flustered.
“Surely that’s too much trouble?”
“Not at all,” Evelyn interjected swiftly, casting a proud look at her grandson.
Their conversation continued until Karina’s call summoned Corrine away. Nate’s gaze narrowed imperceptibly as he watched her graceful figure disappear into the distance.
“Nate.” Evelyn’s voice carried an edge of steel, presaging an impending interrogation.
Nate caught Evelyn’s gaze, noting the playful glimmer dancing in his grandmother’s eyes. A soft smile tugged at his lips.
“Grandma, thank you for what you’ve done for me today.”
“Oh, stop it!” Evelyn waved him off with mock annoyance, her expression shifting into a self-assured grin.
“Don’t mistake this for mere kindness-I’m simply impatient to welcome a great-grandchild into our family.”
Nate lowered his head, masking the weight of sincerity in his eyes.
“Great-consider it settled then. She’s destined to be your granddaughter. There’s no turning back from this path now.”
“My judgment has never steered me wrong,” Evelyn declared with unwavering confidence.
“Though I must say, you have your work cut out for you. That young woman seems remarkably unimpressed by your charms.”
This observation struck at the heart of Nate’s frustration. Throughout his life, his status and accomplishments had drawn countless women to his side. Yet Corrine remained unmoved, her indifference challenging everything he thought he knew about his appeal.
Nate met his grandmother’s knowing gaze.
“Perhaps you could share some wisdom on this matter?”
“Winning her heart requires absolute authenticity,” Evelyn counseled, her tone carrying newfound gravity.
“Show humility, take initiative, demonstrate thoughtfulness. Above all else, remain steadfast in your dedication. If you ever cause her pain, you’ll answer to me.”
A genuine laugh escaped Nate’s lips.
“She hasn’t even joined the family, and already you’ve chosen sides?”
“The more I observe that girl, the more she endears herself to me,” Evelyn mused, picturing Corrine’s gentle demeanor. Warmth suffused her features until she noticed Nate rising.
“Where are you headed?”
Nate’s smile carried purpose.
“To show some initiative, of course.”
Corrine’s path back to her hospital room was unexpectedly blocked by Rita, Bruce’s sister, who appeared to have been lying in wait.
Malice darkened Rita’s features as she scrutinized Corrine. Her lips twisted into a cruel smile.
“Corrine, you’ve proven quite disappointing. I thought you’d finally accepted reality and withdrawn gracefully, yet here you are, still clinging to my brother.”
“Brother. Do you honestly believe that playing the pitiful patient will change his mind? Save yourself the embarrassment. A slut like you could never be worthy of him!”
“Say those words again!” Ice crystallized in Corrine’s voice, fury igniting in her gaze.
Rita, accustomed to Corrine’s usual docility, faltered momentarily before the intensity of her anger.
“What? Have I spoken anything but the truth? You ended things with my brother only to get involved with other men. What else should we call such behavior?”
When silence met her words, Rita’s arrogance swelled.
“Don’t think I’m ignorant of why you vanished back then. Bruce shared everything!”
The color drained from Corrine’s face at this revelation, leaving her paralyzed with shock. Her fingers curled into tight fists, nails biting into her palms without registration. Her slight frame trembled with the force of contained emotion
That night had carved an indelible mark of shame into her soul, a wound beyond healing. The memory was meant to remain sealed between her and Bruce, protected by his solemn vow of silence. Yet he had betrayed that promise to Rita, rendering his words as worthless as scattered ash.
Pain lanced through Corrine’s chest like a dull blade, each breath growing more labored than the last as dizziness threatened to overwhelm her.
Rita, interpreting Corrine’s pallor as weakness, pressed her advantage.
“Let me enlighten you, Corrine. If you hadn’t thrown yourself so shamelessly at my brother when he was vulnerable after breaking up with Leah, he never would have spared you a glance. Take a long, hard look at yourself…”
Slap!
A sharp crack split the air as Corrine’s palm connected with Rita’s cheek. The impact sent Rita stumbling backward, her smugness dissolving into stunned disbelief. Fury blazed in her eyes as realization dawned.
“You… you actually dared to strike me?”
“Why shouldn’t I?” Corrine’s voice carried the chill of winter.
“What makes you think you’re untouchable?”
In one fluid motion, Corrine seized Rita by the throat and thrust her toward the open window with devastating force. Rita’s feet left the floor as her upper body dangled precariously over the dizzying height of fifteen floors below. Terror washed over Rita as panic clawed at her throat.
“Help! Someone, please!”
“Rita Ashton, I’ve tolerated your behavior until now, but don’t mistake my patience for weakness,” Corrine drawled, her tone deceptively casual.
“Since you can’t control that tongue of yours, perhaps I should help you with that.” She tightened her grip on Rita’s neck.
Rita’s body hung further out the window, tremors wracking her frame as survival instincts took over.
“Please, I’m sorry! I swear I’ll never do it again!”
The spectacle drew an inevitable crowd, phones emerging to capture the confrontation. Corrine surveyed the gathering onlookers with calculated coolness. Her imminent return to the Ford family and their business interests demanded discretion. She couldn’t afford a scandal now.
“Let this serve as your final warning!” Corrine’s words dripped with contempt as she yanked Rita back to safety.
Rita’s legs nearly buckled as they reconnected with solid ground. Relief flooded her system as the immediate threat of death receded. Scrambling to her feet, she retreated while attempting one last show of bravado.
“Corrine, you’ll regret this! The Ashton family won’t let this insult stand!”
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.