Chapter 129

Arnold’s voice came through, casual but with an undertone of something unspoken. “Are you free today?

Alex wants to hang out with Abby.”

Cole leaned against the wall, glancing toward Sarah, who had gone back to reading but seemed slightly aware of his presence. He replied evenly, “I’m taking Abby out today. Maybe another time.*

Arnold let out a short chuckle. “You’ve been going out more lately.”

Cole smirked faintly, though there was an edge of something else in his expression. “Abby’s been opening up more. She’s not as reserved as before.”

They exchanged a few more words before ending the call, but as Cole slipped his phone back into his pocket, something lingered in his mind.

Arnold knew all of this knowledge–probably even more than Cole did–but he had never been willing to

teach Sarah.

His eyes darkened slightly at the thought.

The marriage between Arnold and Sarah had always been surrounded by rumors.

Many people say that it was Sarah’s underhanded tactics that forced Arnold to have to marry her in the first place.

Cole had believed it too, once. But after spending time with her, after seeing how she carried herself with quiet dignity, it was getting harder to reconcile that image with reality.

And then there was Linda–the woman who had somehow inserted herself between them.

If anyone had been underhanded, wasn’t it Linda?

Still, Cole couldn’t ignore the fact that Arnold had always resented the very idea of ‘mates‘—that he had

resisted his connection to Sarah not out of hatred, but perhaps out of defiance.

A rebellion against fate, against something he couldn’t control.

of what he truly

conversation stretching longer than either had anticipated.

economics had seamlessly drifted into other topics–philosophy, literature, even the nature

07:57

Farewell: Half A Life Without My

98.5%

Chapter 129

talk

the kind that

sun was already beginning to set, casting golden hues

the room in warmth, making the atmosphere feel strangely

finally closed her book, her fingers resting lightly on the worn

satisfied expression flickered across her face. “Thanks for today,” she said, her

“It

forming. “You can ask me anything, anytime. I won’t mind.”

caught off guard by his gentleness. She had expected professionalism,

It

promise.

room, Elisa had been getting along well

had been a constant background melody throughout the

were all preparing to leave, a strange but

them.

he found himself speaking without much

her expression unreadable, but there was something

next time.”

Elisa home first before heading off on her own, the silence of the car giving her space to think. Cole

were simply acquaintances. That

her observations with Alexander. She leaned against the doorframe of his office, arms crossed, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “I think I’m getting

cousin–in–law.”

reviewing some documents, glanced up at her with a

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