e needed to clear every anti

t space, Kristine felt a strange

y then noticed something she had completely overlooked.

ch one inevitably came with a call from Elyse to Colton, and th

life, she could finally return t

hope. When morning came, she headed to a house. She and

sed the house in full, yet sh

y be called home if both of th

still chose to sell her most treasured pair of cer

he passcode, the lo

diately cros

sscode. It was made by combin

ogical reason

man's voice came from insi

opened slightly, and a

er tone as Kristine

the woman replied, "

nside and caught sight of Elyse emerg

lear that Elyse was a

ine as she asked, "Who allowed

id not surprise E

purpose, fully aware what t

told me to live here. Don't you understand

out her phone and dialed property management. "Hello, this is the homeowner. There is a

sed before someone

agement, the person who

hardened by impatience. The moment he noticed Kristine, irritation fla

ne's chest, and the pressur

believed she wo

his is our house. What gives you the right

them grew heav

appeared more than pleased w

urther. "Colton, I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I didn't realize

chest and began coughing hard, as th

her side and held her up. "Kristine,

Kristine spoke again, her voice sounded unexpectedly calm. "She doesn't have to leave.

ed about how to de

blem had res

ctly what Colton wanted, yet for some

y transfer the money to you

istine turned and left

ure, a flicker of panic rose in his

e was upset, it was nothing serious.

ransfer from Colton appea

n amount that doubled what she ha

olton had never been the type to

message from him came through

iscussion in his words.

he had alwa

s, offering no hint about their desti

etails clearly f

he message. She slipped her phone away and returned

g morning, Colton's car arr

realized Kristine was staying in her own

cated in a neighborho

ted to move in during the thi

e very first night Colton met Elyse

p between being cherishe

answered, "I stayed there lo

from Colton, and the c

vehicle finally stopped in fro

flashed through

ve company revealed a brand-n

antly and had brought it up to Colt

into mass production, only three

secured one of them, and the new

chest as she stepped out of the

encircled by staff like the focal point of

se spoke up in a gentle, deliberately sw

adored, Elyse continued, "I've already chosen

Colton's voice as

, the softness disappeared entire

ion openly carried pride and provocation. Lifting her

Colton's face. "Pi

tine answered with resolve

at she considered her former stubbornness

Elyse, since she knew Co

be unreasonable, Kristine. There are so many cars

s words. "Right. Why can't

d. "Don't be so tense. I was only joking. Of course, I wouldn't

s gesture, Elyse turned to look, and

other sports car, one with a pr