Chapter 21
Whitfield lowered his gaze, disappointment flickering in his eyes.%
But a heartbeat later, he slipped right back into that cool, cocky persona.
“What are you apologizing for? I just wanted to say, I got my hands on some authentic fondue ingredients. Are you willing to trust my cooking skills?“%
“Didn’t you tell someone the other day that you’ve been craving fondue so badly, you couldn’t sleep all night?“%
Lynne stared at Whitfield in disbelief. But under his steady gaze, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing.%
“How did you know about that?“%
Seeing her laugh, Whitfield grinned too.
Of course, he couldn’t admit he’d sent his most trusted man to work as her assistant, all just to get closer to her.%
He scratched the tip of his nose, a little sheepish.
“Your mother told me.”
“Oh? And what else did she say?”
She said you were dreaming about it at night and drooling on your pillow.“%
“I did not!” Lynne protested, though the smile only grew on her face.
Whitfield caught the glow of her laughter in his peripheral vision, and a gentle warmth settled quietly in his chest.%
So what if things were moving slowly? He was confident–Lynne would fall for him. And he was determined to show her he was nothing like the rest of the Tobin family.
Meanwhile, Sexton was keeping Balfour company at the hospital.
Balfour had been itching to see Lynne, but Sexton physically kept him in check./
“Balfour, calm down. Look at yourself–if you show up to see Lynne now, what are you going to say? Her mother never wanted you two together in the first place. If you show up like this, you’ll only make things worse!”
Furious, Balfour slammed his fist onto the table.”
“So what, am I supposed to just stand by and watch Whitfield swoop in with his own agenda? She’s my wife! He has no right to go after
her!”
He shoved the table over in frustration, the crash so loud that a nurse came in to scold them.”
Sexton looked at Balfour, conflicted, not sure if he should say what was really on his mind.”
After all, Balfour had chosen to give up on Lynne before. Even if he’d finally realized his true feelings, Lynne already knew
everything–how could she possibly trust him again, just like that?”
And as for Whitfield–why had he suddenly shown up here? Was it really about the Tobin family?
The Tobins owed Whitfield so much, and Balfour had been searching for him in secret for years. They knew nothing about him, while Whitfield didn’t seem to fear Balfour at all.
Sexton let out a heavy sigh.”
“Balfour, I’m telling you–for Lynne’s sake, you need to calm down. Do you really think I can just have a quick chat and convince her? As your friend, I’ll do my best to help, but I can’t promise Lynne will listen to me. After all…”
He wasn’t just Balfour’s friend–he was Lynne’s too. And he knew about Cynthia, but still went along with covering for Balfour. He’d betrayed Lynne’s trust as well%
Balfour listened, despair creeping into his chest.
As soon as Balfour’s vision cleared enough to function, he insisted Sexton take him to see Lynne.%
But when they arrived, Martha was waiting. She ordered the housekeeper to douse Balfour with a bucket of cold water.
“Martha, listen–Balfour knows he messed up. He thought Lynne was dead–he nearly threw himself into the ocean after her. I saw it with my own eyes. Can’t you let them talk, just once, and clear the air?”
Martha let out a cold laugh. Then why isn’t he dead, huh?”
Sexton was left speechless, the words catching in his throat
Balfour’s eyesight had improved, but people still looked blurry. He stepped forward, slowly.
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“Ma’am, I know you don’t like me. But Lynne and I have been through so much together–I can’t just let go. Please, just give me one last chance. I swear, I never hurt Lynne again.”
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