Chapter 177
Leanne rubbed her temples, feeling the weight of the lie she had told at the peak of their last hike. She had only woven that tale to keep him from clinging on to hope.
In just a few days, she’d have the divorce papers in hand, and whatever had transpired between her and Curtis wouldn’t matter anymore. The final curtain would fall, and they’d go their separate ways, strangers once again.
What was the point in letting him know that once, she had loved him deeply?
She didn’t want to complicate things any further.
“So, what exactly do you want to believe?” Leanne’s tone was icy. “Do I need to spell out the answers you want to hear for you to accept them? If that’s the case, I can do that.”
“I don’t care about the answers. Come downstairs and tell me to my face, looking me in the eye,” he insisted.
Leanne pulled the curtains closed. “It’s late, I’m heading to bed now.”
Curtis spoke in a measured pace, leaving no room for rebuttal. “If you don’t come down, I’m coming up. You know I’m a gentleman by day, but at night, all bets are off.”
Leanne paused for a few seconds. “Why do you always get to call the shots?”
“You dictate when to be cold, when to claim it’s love. You jet off to Emberland on a whim, and return whenever it pleases you. I have to walk whichever path you point me to. Now you summon me in the middle of the night, and I’m just supposed to comply? Why?”
Curtis fell silent. His earlier assertiveness seemed to have evaporated as he softened tone, sounding resigned. “I apologize. You don’t have to come down if you don’t want You call the shots, okay, your highness?”
But his highness was unforgiving. “If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.” Leanne said coldly.
Before Curtis could say another word, the line went dead with a definitive click.
Winter in Stonebridge was hard on the magnolias that thrived in warmth; they withered, casting silent shadows over Curtis as he stood outside.
He glanced at the phone in his hand and then up at the now-dark window.
A long sigh escaped him in the chilly night breeze.
The next morning, while Leanne was brushing her teeth, the doorbell rang. Expecting Joy, who had offered her a lift to work, she dashed to the door.
Curtis stood on the doorstep, raising an eyebrow as the door swung open. “You actually opened the door? Why the warm welcome today?”
1/2
Chapter 177
Leanne, mouth full of toothpaste foam, tried to speak, but quickly shut her mouth as her
electric toothbrush buzzed away.
“A rather unique way to say good morning,” Curtis chuckled. “You too.” He held up a bag of takeout he had brought along. “Brought you breakfast.”
With a bang, the door slammed in his face..
Curtis touched his almost-bumped nose and tsked. “That was a bit harsh.”
After Leanne got ready, received a text from Joy, and slipped on her shoes, she reopened the door.
Curtis hadn’t left; he was casually scrolling through his phone against the hallway wall.
As he heard the door, he looked up, and Leanne noticed the breakfast was gone.
“Gave it to your neighbor,” he said, pocketing his phone. “Changed your mind? Want me to get it back?”
Leanne, who initially didn’t intend to get involved, swiftly nabbed him as he was about to knock on the neighbor’s door.
“Maybe you have no shame, but I do.”
Curtis glanced at her hand on his.” “So did you ever love me?”
Leanne let go and turned on her heel, heading for the elevator with a swift stride.
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