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

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

cold. "Maybe I've just learned from past

rolled

with the conversation, he didn't bother replying and

for Kristian, the thoughts circling in his mind made his expression harden for a moment. He tamped down the emotions stirring inside him and headed toward

barely made it a few steps when he spotted

his tracks, whatever emotion had lingered

a face full of relief, as though her son

gaze twinkled

briefly before walking toward them with practiced calm. "What are you

softened. "Failing

Kristian couldn't

composure, he said simply, "I

Melinda replied, clearly

of learning to keep a straight face helped him stay

shoulder a firm pat. "Owning up to your past

got something to take care of. I'll head inside," Kristian

weight of his father's words. "You two enjoy

made his

puzzled. "What could he possibly have to do this

and now he needs an excuse to duck out,” Isaac replied, serious but

nodded knowingly.

man now. We

"True."

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

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as he thought about how he'd once helped his father win

in his room, he showered, slipped into his pajamas, and lay down on

a kind of peace he never

far from the noise and rush, he felt something

thought, he picked up

she was, what she was doing-but every single time, he'd put the phone down

day

evening

was headed to

or show up unannounced, she called Lionel ahead

time.

confirmed he was home, she grabbed her gift and