The Broken-hearted She And The Icy He

A Quiet Line Crossed

A Quiet Line Crossed

After a moment’s pause, James added blandly, “When you’re with that old classmate of yours, make sure you don’t let yourself get taken advantage of”

The second she heard him mention that so–called old classmate–who didn’t even exist–Lily’s heart skipped a beat.

She figured he probably just wanted her and that imaginary guy to get together as soon as possible. That way. Henry might finally approve the divorce, and James would be free.

He’d already done so much for her tonight. She definitely owed him a bit of reassurance. Without missing a beat, she said, “Don’t worry, we’re doing great. We’re really in love. He’s such a good person–kind and caring. I feel really happy when I’m with him. Honestly… we might even get married after we finalize the divorce. And when that happens, you’re invited.”

She turned toward the front seat and tacked on, out of politeness, “You too, Ashton. You’ll both have to come to the wedding.”

“Mm.”

James knew Lily had been getting along well with her supposed old classmate, but he hadn’t expected things to have progressed to the point of marriage.

He’d been wishing she’d settle down quickly with someone else.

But for some reason, hearing her say it aloud didn’t bring the relief he’d expected.

Instead, a strange discomfort stirred inside him. And, just like that, he didn’t feel like talking anymore.

He didn’t look at her again, simply turned his face toward the window and stared silently at the traffic streaming by.

Ashton, meanwhile, was about ready to drop dead from the shock.

He and the boss were supposed to go to Madam’s wedding?

like personally attending the crowning ceremony of the

seemed kind

remembered what Henry had told

an eye on things and never let the boss get caught

could straighten out and live a peaceful life with

toast at Madam’s wedding to

boss had asked Ashton to prep all the gear for a camping trip tomorrow–complete- with barbecuing–with that

1/3

per the boss’s Instructions. But he couldn’t exactly follow around twenty–four seven. What if the boss and the guy did stuff in

clutched the steering wheel with a grim expression, soul thoroughly crushed. What the

nearly half an hour in the car, Lily had mostly recovered. She didn’t want to trouble

car was dim, so she hadn’t noticed his appearance. But

white shirt–always spotless–was now

terrible. Her voice barely more than a whisper, she said. “James, I’m so sorry… I got your shirt

wanted to offer to pay

and instead added. “I’ll be more careful in the future. I won’t mess up your clothes again. I’ll also try to avoid

“Mm.”

down at

and tears had soaked into the fabric. It

it didn’t bother

had a mild cleanliness obsession since he was a child. He didn’t like people getting too close, and he absolutely hated

up in his arms, it hadn’t felt

his shirt,

lingered in his mind instead was the memory of her tears falling, one after another, and how each one had

his eyes again, he saw the red marks still visible on her

detached, he said, “Go shower and put some medicine–n

change of clothes and stepped