Chapter 190 Thin lines

Chapter 190 Thin lines
Chapter 190: Thin lines 

Varney stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his collar. He wore a black shirt paired with dark trousers that sharpened his already striking appearance. He picked up a bottle of cologne and sprayed it lightly across his neck and wrists. 

Behind him, Alex shifted on the bed, her eyes narrowing slightly as she watched him through the reflection.

“Where are you going?” she asked. 

Varney didn’t turn immediately. He ran a hand through his hair, ensuring every detail was in place before finally meeting her gaze in the mirror.

“I’m taking my sister out,” he said casually. “She needs it. Thought I’d spoil her a little. Maybe go clubbing.”

Alex sat up fully now, the sheets pooling around her waist. “Oh.”

There was a pause.

“And you didn’t think to invite me?”

Varney shrugged lightly, as though the thought hadn’t even occurred to him. “You can come if you want.”

Alex let out a small, disbelieving laugh. “If I want?”

Varney turned then, leaning slightly against the dresser. “Yeah. What’s the issue?”

Alex held his gaze for a moment before speaking again. “Why would Golden go out with you without telling me first?”

The question landed between them, heavier than it should have.

Varney blinked, caught off guard.

“What?”

“You heard me,” Alex said, her voice quieter now but firmer. “You made plans with her, and somehow I’m just… an afterthought?”

Varney frowned slightly, confusion flickering across his face. “It’s not that serious, Alex. She’s my sister.”

“And I’m your fiancée,” Alex shot back.

Silence followed.

Varney looked at her for a moment longer, then shook his head as if dismissing the tension entirely. “You’re overthinking it.”

Alex’s jaw tightened.

“It’s late, Varney,” she said, her tone shifting. “Maybe you should focus on the wedding instead of running around at night.”

Varney didn’t respond to that. Instead, he stepped forward, leaning down to press a quick kiss to her lips.

“Don’t wait up,” he said lightly.

Before she could respond, he grabbed his keys and walked out.

The sound of the door closing echoed faintly through the house.

Alex stayed seated for a moment, staring at the empty doorway.

Then she got up and walked toward the window.

Outside, the driveway lights illuminated the sleek silhouette of Varney’s car as he got in and started the engine.

Moments later, another car pulled out behind him.

Alex’s brows furrowed as she watched the two vehicles speed down the street.

Within seconds, they were racing.

Her expression darkened slightly as the headlights disappeared into the distance.



The night air was cool, rushing past Golden as she gripped the steering wheel.

The city lights blurred into streaks of gold and white as she pressed harder on the accelerator, her car responding instantly beneath her.

Beside her, in the adjacent lane, Varney’s car kept pace.

Golden laughed, the sound light and unrestrained, something she hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Come on, Varney!” she shouted, even though he couldn’t hear her. “Keep up!”

Varney glanced toward her car, a small smile forming on his lips.

He could easily overtake her but t he didn’t.

Instead, he eased off just enough to let her pull ahead.

Golden whooped in victory, her excitement spilling over as she surged forward, the open road stretching endlessly before her.

For a moment, everything else faded.

The tension. The confusion. The weight she had been carrying.

It was just her and the road.

Freedom.

Then headlights appeared in her rearview mirror, too close and fast. 

Golden frowned slightly, her grip tightening.

The car behind her didn’t slow.

Instead, it swerved dangerously, attempting to close the gap.

Varney noticed immediately.

His expression hardened as he accelerated, pulling up beside Golden.

“Gigi,” he muttered under his breath, his eyes locked on the aggressive vehicle behind her.

The car lunged forward again. Golden’s pulse spiked.

“What the…”

Before she could react, Varney moved.

He swerved sharply, positioning his car between Golden and the approaching vehicle.

Varney slammed into the side of the pursuing car, forcing it off balance.

The vehicle veered violently, skidding toward the edge of the highway.

Golden gasped, her heart pounding as she watched through her mirror.

The car lost control completely. It flipped over the barrier and disappeared.

Varney didn’t slow down until they were far enough away.

Golden followed closely, her breathing uneven, her hands trembling slightly on the wheel.

They drove until the city lights thinned out, until the road grew quieter, emptier.

Finally, Varney pulled over. Golden did the same.

The engines died down, leaving only the sound of the wind and their uneven breaths.

Golden stepped out of her car first, her legs slightly unsteady.

“What just happened?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Varney leaned against his car, his expression controlled but tense. “Gangsters I guess.” 

Golden swallowed hard, her mind trying to catch up.

Varney pushed off the car and walked toward her, placing a hand on her shoulder briefly. “You’re okay. That’s what matters.”

Golden nodded slowly.

After a moment, they both climbed onto the hood of his car, sitting side by side, staring out at the dark stretch of road ahead.

“You need to be careful, Gigi.”

Golden glanced at him. “Careful of what?”

“Of everything,” he said. “Your life. Your choices. Don’t lose a good man.”

Golden’s chest tightened slightly at that.

She looked away.

After a moment, she spoke again. “Alex seems… different.”

Varney let out a quiet breath.

“Yeah,” he said simply.

Golden turned to him, studying his face. “What’s going on?”

Varney hesitated.

Then he said it.

“I’m thinking of calling off the wedding.”

Golden blinked, the words not registering at first.

“What?”

Varney kept his gaze forward. “I’m not sure anymore.”

Golden stared at him, disbelief flooding her expression. “Not sure? What does that even mean?”

Varney shrugged lightly, but there was no ease in the gesture. “It means I don’t know if it’s right.”

Golden slid off the hood immediately, her frustration rising. “After everything? After all these years, this is when you decide you’re not sure?”

Varney exhaled sharply. “It’s not that simple.”

“It is that simple!” Golden shot back. “You don’t just wake up and decide you’re unsure about someone you’re about to marry!”

Varney’s jaw tightened. “You don’t understand.”

“Then explain it to me!” she demanded.

Varney looked at her then, something conflicted in his eyes.

Golden shook her head, stepped back, her expression hardening. “I can’t believe this.”

She turned and walked toward her car.

“Gigi…” Varney started.

She didn’t stop. She got into her car, slammed the door, and started the engine.

Without another word, she drove off into the night.