Chapter 51 The Taste of Love
Hearing Nicholas's answer, I froze. James had grabbed me right after I'd entered the neighborhood, dragging me into that grove. We'd moved to a different spot, but that path wasn't even on my usual route home.
So why was Nicholas nearby? Wasn't he supposed to be working late?
Questions flooded my mind. Should I ask? I hesitated, suddenly worried—what if Nicholas's answer wasn't satisfactory? What would I do then? That tiny spark of something between us would be snuffed out before it could catch fire.
I couldn't bring myself to ask. Both lifetimes had taught me the same lesson—sometimes ignorance really was bliss. We were just friends anyway.
Nicholas looked down at me. There was something in his eyes.
I didn't wait for Nicholas to explain. I pulled away from his embrace and forced a smile. "I'm not feeling great today. I'm heading home."
Without giving Nicholas another glance, I walked straight to the elevator. As the doors slid shut, Nicholas still hadn't followed. I didn't wait.
My head was a mess. The thing with James and Sabrina felt like a steel needle driven straight into my heart. Nicholas's dishonesty and silence was like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing that tiny flame between us.
Maybe I should never have expected anything from anyone in the first place. Not just the Rosewood family. But... everyone. Every stranger.
I suddenly felt incredibly stifled. I'd lived so pathetically in my past life, and even with a second chance, everything still felt terrible. All the emotions I'd been suppressing lately exploded at once. I curled up on the couch, letting tears soak into my clothes.
After crying myself out, I felt somewhat restored. Instinctively wanting someone to talk to, I scrolled through my contacts for a while before finally calling Melissa.
"Cate? It's been a minute since you've called me. How's everything going?"
"Not great," I admitted.
Melissa immediately tensed up. I told her to relax, then filled her in on everything that had happened recently. She was shocked.
"That coworker you mentioned—I saw that video too! But by the time I saw it, both your faces were blurred out. I just thought it was entertaining drama. I had no idea you were the victim!"
She righteously tore into Elaine on my behalf, then proceeded to drag Sabrina and Jason for good measure. My mood lifted considerably, a smile tugging at my lips.
When we got to James's disgusting feelings, she was especially scathing. But when I mentioned Nicholas, her tone softened noticeably. She spoke carefully. "Cate, did you ask him about it? What if... he's waiting for you to ask?"
My heart skipped a beat. I knew that was entirely possible. But I played it off casually. "Melissa, whose friend are you anyway? Why are you taking Nicholas's side?"
Melissa laughed awkwardly. "I'm your friend, obviously! But Cate, you said before he didn't even know how to kiss. How could he be the type to deliberately lie? Plus he's helped you so much. Are you sure there isn't some misunderstanding?"
I thought it over carefully. She was right—Nicholas wasn't that kind of person. But still... something felt off.
Seeing my reluctance, Melissa laughed wickedly. "Cate, this is what love feels like~"
I shot her a look. "Forget that for now. Has there been any other movement from the Rosewood family lately?"
I thought about Sabrina and that rich guy. While Melissa was thinking, I told her about it.
"Oh no, if Sabrina gets a boyfriend, won't your James go even crazier when he can't have her?"
On the surface, Melissa seemed worried James might do something antisocial. But I could tell she was actually thrilled. Figures—no one could resist good drama.
"Is that really the point here? I heard Sabrina hasn't even agreed yet!"
Melissa chimed in agreement, then suddenly snapped her fingers, her smile deepening. "An old classmate of mine works at the Rosewood Group. She mentioned some gossip recently that might be related."
My eyes lit up. "Tell me everything."
A few days ago, after careful consideration, Sabrina had decided to try finding her own solution. She'd gone to the Rosewood Group to see Andrew. At first, Andrew had been happy she'd come to visit. The siblings had their usual affectionate moment together.
Then Sabrina revealed her real purpose. "Andrew, can you give me some money? I heard there's specialty medication overseas that could help."
Andrew's expression immediately changed. His face grew serious. "Sabby, it's not that I don't want to help you. But the company's situation right now—we just can't spare any more money!"
Andrew tried to comfort Sabrina while internally wondering who had told her about the overseas medication. Setting aside the cost, he remembered James saying the side effects filled two full pages. There was no way in hell he'd let Sabrina take that risk.
"Andrew, you really won't help me?"