Chapter 28: Trust and Temptations–2
Upon learning this, Connor did not visit Vanessa again. Instead, the Rivers Pack arranged top–tier nurses and servants to care for her in the hospital, but Connor stayed by my side daily.
He accompanied me to try on engagement dresses, select platinum jewelry, and plan
our engagement ceremony. No matter how Vanessa cried or made trouble, Connor
never returned to see her.
I had once thought Vanessa’s scheme would sabotage my engagement, but ironically, her plotting backfired spectacularly. Not only did it fail to estrange Connor, it actually accelerated his confession and deepened his commitment.
Though I could not yet say I loved Connor–my heart still wounded by Ethan Grey–l
was undeniably moved by his unconditional trust and affection.
The engagement date was set for the fifteenth of next month, with over a month to
prepare. One day, Connor accompanied me to a luxury boutique’s VIP room.
Models in the latest couture walked before us as we sat side by side on a plush sofa.
Connor leaned close and whispered by my ear, his breath warm against my skin.
“That pale blue dress looks nice.”
I nodded, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach at his proximity. “I like that one
too, and also the cream–colored jacket.”
Just then, my phone chimed with new messages. Respecting my privacy, Connor turned away politely.
I opened my inbox to find several photos: Cassandra Evans and Ethan Grey in what seemed to be a mountain retreat popular among wealthy visitors, smiling intimately.
Then came a message from Cassandra: “He refused to accompany you, but I came on your behalf. The mountain retreat is beautiful–too bad you won’t get to see it.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not dead,” I thought, “why wouldn’t I see it?”
During my three years with Ethan, I had longed for such a trip, but work and his refusals had made it impossible. Now, if I wished to travel, all it took was a word to
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Connor.
+8 Points >
I nearly blocked Cassandra, but then changed my mind. Watching Cassandra’s petty provocations was almost amusing–like keeping a digital pet.
Smirking, I put my phone away.
(Ethan’s POV)
Cassandra nestled against my chest in our mountain cabin, her fingers tapping away at her phone. I watched as she carefully edited photos of us before sending them.
“What are you doing?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.
“Just sharing our wonderful trip with friends,” she replied with a sweet smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
I didn’t stop her. Secretly, I was eager for Olivia’s reaction–anger, jealousy, a call or message, perhaps a plea for reconciliation. It had been days since I last heard from
her.
So I watched silently as Cassandra sent the message, hoping it would provoke Olivia
into reaching out.
But after the message was sent, hours passed, then an entire day, with no reply from
Olivia at all.
“Did she block me?” Cassandra muttered in confusion, checking her phone repeatedly. “But if she did, the message wouldn’t have gone through.”
I tried to console myself. “Maybe she just didn’t see it.”
Yes, that had to be it–if she saw it, she couldn’t possibly be so indifferent. The Olivia I
knew would care. She would react.
Wouldn’t she?
As another day dragged on without a word, I grew restless. The mountain retreat that had seemed so peaceful now felt suffocating.
Cassandra had gone for a spa treatment, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I paced the cabin, checking my phone every few minutes.
Nothing.
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Finally, I couldn’t stand it anymore. I took out my phone, face clouded with dark suspicion, and called Parker Davis.
“Sir?” His voice was professional, detached.
“Find out Olivia Winters‘ address back in Riverdale,” I ordered coldly.
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