Instead of going straight home from the hospital, Linsey decided to stop by the Grester Public Library, which was conveniently located nearby.
Her knowledge about massage was limited. If she truly wanted to help Collin regain the use of his legs, she needed to learn more.
She entered the library and headed straight for the medical section, where she found several books on massage therapy. She settled down at a table and began to read, completely absorbed in her task. Linsey was determined to help Collin walk again. It wasn’t just an empty promise; she meant it with all her heart.
If Collin could walk again, maybe he wouldn’t have to endure the constant mockery and disdain from the Riley family. She was determined to learn everything she could. She spent the entire day at the library, only taking a short break for a quick lunch at a nearby cafe.
Lost in her studies, she didn’t even notice the time passing by. Before leaving the library, she bought a few books on massage therapy that she thought would be helpful.
When Linsey returned to Vista Villa, Josh greeted her at the door. “Mrs. Riley, we have a guest.”
“A guest?” Linsey asked, confused. “Who is it? Are they here to see me?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Josh confirmed. “A young lady is waiting for you in the living room.”
Linsey immediately thought of Dolores.
She hurried into the living room, and there was Dolores, sitting on the sofa, waiting for her.
“Dolores!” Linsey exclaimed, her face breaking into a wide smile as she sat down next to her. “Didn’t you tell me you were coming? Have you been waiting long? What brings you here?”
To Linsey’s surprise, Dolores didn’t smile back. Her face was clouded with anger.
“Do you really not know why I’m here?” Dolores demanded, her eyes fixed on Linsey with a furious intensity. “Linsey, tell me the truth!” Her voice held a trace of anger, but the worry and slight panic in her eyes revealed her true emotions.
Linsey recoiled slightly, a flicker of unease crossing her face. “What are you talking about?”
After a brief hesitation, Linsey instinctively tried to deflect. “Dolores, are you hungry? What do you fancy? I’ll have the kitchen staff whip something up. They’re fantastic cooks.”
“Dolores, I came all this way, and you’re still trying to keep me in the dark?” Dolores snapped, grabbing Linsey’s arm before she could react. Yanking up Linsey’s sleeve, she found, as expected, a horrifying sight.
Deep scars marred Linsey’s delicate wrist, alongside an array of bruises and cuts of varying sizes scattered across her arm.
In that instant, all of Dolores’s anger vanished, replaced by a wave of heartache. “Oh my God, Linsey! Does it hurt?”
Hearing the slight tremor in Dolores’s voice, Linsey felt a lump form in her own throat.
Ever since they were children, Dolores had always been her primary source of comfort whenever she was hurt or upset.
“It stopped hurting ages ago,” Linsey replied, forcing a smile and trying to hide the pain in her voice.
As Dolores stared at Linsey’s injuries, any lingering anger completely evaporated. Her eyes were filled with nothing but pain and sorrow.
“I saw the news about Felix’s arrest,” Dolores exclaimed, her voice filled with worry. “It said he was involved in a kidnapping, and I immediately thought of you. I rushed over here as fast as I could. My gut feeling was right! That scumbag Felix! I should have slapped him harder when I had the chance!”
Linsey gently reassured her. “Dolores, it’s alright now. Felix has been sentenced, and I wasn’t really in any danger. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to worry. You’re always so busy, and I didn’t want this to add to your stress.”
“No work is more important than you,” Dolores insisted, her voice laced with hurt. “Linsey, you’ve really upset me this time. How could you keep something like this from me?”
Sensing Dolores’s rising anger, Linsey quickly tried to soothe her, saying, “Dolores, I was wrong to keep this from you. I promise it won’t happen again.”
As they were talking, the sound of a car engine cutting off outside caught their attention. Collin had returned.
The moment Collin was about to step inside, Josh, ever the dutiful butler, informed him, “Mr. Riley, Mrs. Riley’s friend has arrived.”
The living room was thick with tension. Collin’s brow furrowed as he surveyed the room. “What’s with the grim faces?” he asked.
Dolores’ gaze snapped up at the sound of Collin’s voice. Her eyes widened in surprise as they met his. Could this impossibly handsome man really be the Riley family’s notorious outcast?
Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Collin exuded an air of power and determination. No wonder Linsey, with her well-known attraction to attractive men, had fallen for him.
A flicker of confusion crossed Dolores’s face. There was something strangely familiar about Collin. She couldn’t shake the feeling that their paths had crossed before, but she quickly brushed the thought aside. “You’re Collin, I presume?” she said flatly. “I’m Dolores Davidson, Linsey’s close friend.”
Before Collin could respond, Dolores’s expression hardened. “Linsey chose you, so it’s your responsibility to ensure her safety. Felix snatched her away, leaving her battered and bruised-all because you weren’t there to protect her,” she accused.
Linsey’s jaw dropped. She was about to jump to Collin’s defense. She was a grown woman, after all. Why would she need constant protection? This whole ordeal was Felix’s fault, not Collin’s. In fact, Collin had swooped in just in time to rescue her. She shuddered to think what might have happened if he hadn’t been there.
Before Linsey could speak, Collin intervened. “You’re absolutely right,” he admitted, his voice laced with remorse. “I failed to keep Linsey safe.”
Collin’s unexpected confession stunned both Linsey and Dolores into silence.
“I promise, I’ll do everything in my power to protect Linsey from now on. I won’t let anything like this happen again,” Collin vowed, his voice resolute.
Linsey felt a surge of warmth course through her, a comforting wave of affection and gratitude.
Dolores, however, held a somewhat different view of Collin. Initially, she had been disappointed by Linsey’s choice to marry a man with limited mobility. Yet now, Collin’s words caught her off guard, sparking a flicker of surprise. Most men, she thought, would have readily conjured a litany of excuses to evade responsibility. But here was Collin, facing his error head-on, without a hint of evasion. Perhaps, she mused, Linsey’s judgment wasn’t as flawed as she had initially thought.
Observing the subtle shift in Dolores’s expression, a softening of her features, Linsey couldn’t help but release a quiet sigh of relief. Years of friendship had taught Linsey just how resolute and unyielding Dolores could be. She recalled countless instances where Dolores and Felix, her former flame, would clash at the slightest hint of discord.
Thus, Linsey couldn’t help but worry about the potential friction between Dolores and Collin, fearing she might be caught in the middle.
Dolores paused, her expression hardening as she delivered a stern warning. “Listen, buddy, you might be Linsey’s husband, but I hold a special place in her life. We’re closer than many biological sisters. If you ever even think about mistreating her, I’ll snatch her away from you so fast you won’t know what hit you. And trust me, you’ll regret it big time if you cross me. So, you’d better watch your step.”
Collin’s expression remained unfazed, betraying no hint of displeasure at her words. His gaze softened as he turned to Linsey, his voice unwavering. “I won’t give you the chance,” he vowed.
Dolores let out a dissatisfied huff, her disapproval evident.
Sensing the renewed tension, Linsey quickly stepped in, hoping to diffuse the situation. “Oh right, Collin. We talked about you and Dolores getting to know each other better. Since she’s here now, why don’t we invite her to have dinner with us?”
Collin smiled warmly. “Of course, Ms. Davidson. Why don’t you stay for dinner? I’ll have the kitchen whip up something special.”
Dolores nodded, a hint of arrogance in her gesture. “Alright. It’s been a while since I last had a meal with Linsey.”
“I’ll tell the kitchen to make plenty of your favorites,” Linsey said with a mischievous grin.
As Linsey got up, she winked playfully at Collin, making sure Dolores didn’t see.
Collin felt a warmth spread through him, and a soft smile touched his lips. His eyes were full of tenderness.
The kitchen staff bustled about, and soon, a delicious dinner was spread out on the table.
During dinner, Collin placed some food on Linsey’s plate. “Here, have some more of this. It’s one of your favorites.”
Linsey looked at the food, surprised. “How did you know I like this?”
Collin smiled slightly at her surprised expression. “Of course I know,” he said gently. “I even had the chef tweak the recipe just for you. It’s healthy but delicious. I’m sure you’ll like 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.