The Jilted Heiress' Return to the High Life - Chapter 181

Chapter 181:

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“So it’s only okay when we’re alone?”

She fell silent, her face heating as he once again found a way to turn her words against her. It was a pattern she was beginning to recognize—the more she spoke, the more Nate found openings to outmaneuver her. She realized it was safer to just keep quiet.

Pressing her lips into a thin line, Corrine resumed walking, her steps quick and purposeful. Just as she took a few steps, a young girl suddenly darted out from behind a nearby corner.

Startled, Corrine dodged instinctively, but her heel wobbled on the uneven pavement. She stumbled backward, her balance faltering.

Just as Corrine felt herself losing balance, Nate materialized beside her, his steady arm catching her around the waist.

“Are you okay?” Concern laced Nate’s voice.

“I’m fine,” Corrine assured him.

“Sorry, did my daughter bump into you?” The girl’s father looked at Corrine apologetically.

Corrine shook her head, dismissing his worry.

The father’s expression shifted as he turned to his daughter, crouching down to meet her eyes.

“Didn’t I tell you not to run around when we’re out? If this happens again, our outings will have to stop.”

“Sorry, Daddy,” the little girl whispered, her fingers finding their way to her father’s sleeve, her eyes swimming with tears.

“Daddy, could I have a lollipop?”

The father’s stern facade crumbled at his daughter’s pleading.

“Promise me you won’t run around anymore.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

The moment the sweet treat touched her hands, she wrapped her arms around her father’s neck and planted a tender kiss on his cheek.

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙡: 𝙜ⱥ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘴⫽𝙘𝙤𝙢

The scene stirred something deep within Corrine, casting a shadow across her usually bright eyes.

When she emerged from her reverie, she discovered Nate had vanished from her side.

Her eyes searched the crowd instinctively, finding him approaching with a lollipop in hand, his presence standing out even among the sea of faces.

“Try it,” he offered, having noticed her lingering gaze earlier.

Corrine accepted the treat after a moment’s hesitation and tasted it, its sweetness melting on her tongue and seeping into the corners of her heart.

“What crossed your mind earlier?” Nate inquired, having caught both the flash of sadness in her eyes and the bittersweet smile that followed.

Corrine’s grip tightened on the lollipop stick, her demeanor cooling.

“Just remembering people and things that shouldn’t matter anymore.”

“If they’re not worth remembering, let them go.” Nate enveloped her cold hand in his warm one.

“Don’t carry the weight of others’ mistakes.”

A smile graced Corrine’s lips, transforming her delicate features.

“How can you be so certain the mistake wasn’t mine?”

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