She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 178

hapter 178 She Prefers Me Like This

Kristian pulled a crisp hundred-dollar bill from his wallet and passed it over with a casual flourish, saying coolly, "Keep the change."

"Damn you," Felipe snapped as he slipped the bill into his pocket.

Free money from Kristian? He wasn't about to say no.

The rest of the ride passed in complete silence, both men swallowed by their thoughts, burdened by whatever weighed on their minds.

Half an hour later, Felipe dropped Kristian off at the Shaw estate.

As Kristian stepped out of the car, the memory of what he'd witnessed at the hospital resurfaced. He paused, then said, "You might want to double-check what Farrah said about Jocelyn Watson."

"Wait a second," Felipe frowned, catching the odd note in Kristian's voice.

But Kristian kept that distant, unreadable air about him and responded coolly, "Is there something else?"

"What exactly did you mean by that?" Felipe asked.

"Nothing major. Just a word to the wise," Kristian said, his eyes unreadable. "Not everyone deserves your trust."

Something about that struck a nerve, and Felipe let out a sharp laugh.

Kristian arched a brow, confused by the reaction.

"So, let me guess. Because you misjudged Freya thanks to your first love, you think I'm misjudging Farrah because of Jocelyn?" Felipe said with a mischievous smirk.

Kristian's frown deepened slightly, clearly irritated by the jab.

But Felipe, hands resting easily on the steering wheel, seemed relaxed now. "Your problem was personal. Mine's professional. Whole different ball game."

"Is it really?" Kristian challenged.

"Of course."

"Then why did Farrah bring up Jocelyn right outside the hospital and look at you like you didn't have a clue?" Kristian pressed.

That wiped the smirk off Felipe's face.

Kristian really couldn't help himself-he always knew how to push just the right button.

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say more, but after a brief pause, he added, "If you can trust other women but not Farrah, she won't forgive you for

How would you know?" Felipe shot back, a flicker

eyes darkened, distant, cold. "Maybe I've

secretly rolled his

didn't bother replying and drove

his expression harden for a moment. He tamped down the emotions stirring inside him and headed

made it a few steps when he spotted his parents

his tracks, whatever emotion had lingered in his eyes vanishing

full of relief, as though her

twinkled with

hung loosely at his sides as he paused briefly before walking toward them with practiced calm. "What are you doing

to hold his hand. Her voice softened. "Failing once isn't the

a second, Kristian couldn't find the right

said simply, "I was

get it," Melinda replied, clearly

momentarily silent again, but years of learning to keep a straight face

pat. "Owning up to your past is a

something to take care of. I'll

of his father's words. "You two

that, he turned and made his

blinked, puzzled. "What could he possibly have to do

embarrassed. We struck a nerve, and now he needs an excuse

knowingly. "Makes

now.

"True."

conversation faded behind him, but Kristian, overhearing it, felt a mix of

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pang of regret slipped in as he thought about how he'd once helped

his room, he showered, slipped into his pajamas, and lay

always brought him a

the noise and rush, he felt something settle

thought, he picked up

than not, he had the impulse to text her-ask where she was, what she was doing-but every single time, he'd put the phone down again

day came

he should attend the evening banquet, then

was headed to the

to waste the trip or show up unannounced,

time.

was home, she grabbed her gift and made