Chapter 40 Jealousy–Mr. Thorne, Things Are Getting Awkward
Chapter 40 Jealousy–Mr. Thorne, Things Are Getting Awkward
“What do you want?” A deep, cold voice sounded behind her.
Nova’s back tensed, then she spun around quickly, coming face–to–face with Corin’s icy eyes.
It was him.
Her heart settled, and she let out a breath. “Mr. Thorne.” She paused, pointing at the car beside her, explaining awkwardly. “I thought you’d left. I saw your car when I came down, so I realized you were still here…”
Nova bit her tongue, suddenly unsure of what to say next.
Corin’s gaze swept over her arms, which were trembling from the cold. His eyes darkened slightly as he walked over and opened the car door.
“Get in if you have something to say.”
It was the passenger seat–a tricky spot, especially since this was Corin’s private car. The passenger seat was usually reserved for a girlfriend… for Grace.
Nova took a step back instinctively, shaking her head. “No, that’s okay. I just wanted to ask–do you have time tomorrow? Maybe we could meet and talk…”
She’d learned Corin was in New York to expand his business, and she had connections and resources in the industry that might help him.
It was just a small gesture, but it was her way of thanking him.
Corin paused, his eyes deeper than a moonless forest.
He thought for a moment–rarely in his life had he been rejected, and most of those rejections had come from this woman.
He pressed his tongue against his back teeth, then closed the door.
When he looked at her again, his expression was calm. “No need to trouble yourself. I only helped you today because I happened to see what was happening. You don’t have to take it to heart–I would’ve helped anyone in that situation.”
As he spoke, Corin felt a strange urge to justify himself, and an unfamiliar restlessness stirred in him.
His lips tightened into a thin line.
Nova didn’t overthink it–she just assumed he was busy. “Then when will you be free? I can wait.”
Corin looked at her, her sincerity and persistence making it hard to refuse.
fe lowered his eyes, adjusting the fold of his sleeve thoughtfully, then said, “I have a business meeting at the Royal Fencing Club tomorrow at 11. I’ll have bout half an hour free afterward.”
Nova mentally noted the time and smiled. “Okay.”
The air fell silent again.
Nova glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, then spoke, “I’ll see you tomorrow. It’s late–drive safely on your way back. I’ll head up now.”
At the phrase “head up,” Corin’s expression changed almost imperceptibly.
Jnconsciously, he thought of her tear streaked face, calling Kael’s name in grievance. Her unconscious dependence and clinginess were clear signs of deep love.
Corin frowned, pushing the thought away. His eyes were like an unfathomable pool–no one could tell what he was thinking.
‘Go on.” His voice turned cold, then he looked away, walking to the other side of the car.
‘Okay. Drive safely.” Nova waved, then turned to leave.
23:25
Chapter 40 Jealousy–Mr. Thorne, Things Are Getting Awkward
The night was too cold, she hugged herself and hurried inside.
Neither of them noticed the dark gaze watching them from the building behind them.
After Nova left, Corin smoked a cigarette outside before getting in the car.
Just as he was about to start the engine, his phone vibrated in his suit pocket.
He pulled it out and glanced at the screen.
After a moment of silence, he replied with a short message: [Thanks.]
Grace called immediately, her voice teasing. “I got Mrs. Cain to help you–she agreed to give you the land in the West District.”
Corin rolled down the window, lit another cigarette, and took a drag.
His voice was hoarse. “Thanks. I’ll have someone send you next quarter’s contract tomorrow.”
Grace laughed, but her tone turned playful. “I heard Mrs. Cain rushed to the hospital to catch her husband cheating.”
Corin frowned, annoyed by her chatter. “I’m hanging up.”
‘Wait! Are you a robot? You love hanging up so much!” Grace dropped the act. “I heard Nova is also in the hospital–did you…”
Beep, beep, beep…
Corin hung up, tossing his phone onto the passenger seat. He took a deep drag of his cigarette, the smoke clouding his face and hiding the darkness in his eyes.
He’d been determined to get the West District land. He’d long known about Josh’s dirty secrets and planned to use them to pressure the Cohen family into giving
t to him.
To be honest, he hadn’t been in a hurry–until…
The cigarette burned his fingertips, jolting Corin back to his senses–his gaze fixed on the hot ash in his palm.
le frowned, crushing the cigarette out–as if snuffing out some unwanted feeling.
When the cigarette was reduced to ash, he regained his usual calm and drove away.
le couldn’t lie to himself–Nova had affected him. Her influence was subtle, like a soft feather, but impossible to ignore.
fowever, she was married–and from the way she’d murmured Kael’s name that night, it was clear Kael held a special place in her heart.
orin had never been an indecisive man.
omorrow at the Royal Fencing Club–he’d put an end to this. No more distractions.
lova took ten minutes to walk back to her ward, a distance of less than 100 yards. She was filled with melancholy.
She didn’t want to face the cold emptiness of the ward, let alone Kael.
As she pushed the door open, the room was brightly lit. Kael sat on a chair, flipping through a book. His profile was sharp and handsome, his legs crossed–he ooked every inch the noble gentleman. Putting aside all their troubles, he was incredibly good looking.
Nova froze. She hadn’t expected him to be here tonight; she’d thought he’d stay with Sloane.
‘Where were you?” Kael looked up at the sound of the door.
23:25
ed at Mu Funeral I Laughed at His Cala
Chapter 40 Jealousy–Mr. Thorne, Things Are Getting Awkward
His eyes scanned her from head to toe, lingering on her thin clothes and the pale skin exposed at her wrists. His face hardened, a dark glint flashing in his eyes as he stood up and walked toward her.
Nova paused mid step, her heart tightening for no reason–even though Kael’s tone was as gentle as ever.
She pressed her lips together, stepping around him and heading for the bathroom. “I was bored in the ward, so I went for a walk downstairs…”
Her perfunctory answer clearly irritated Kael. The sight of her heading straight for the bathroom sparked an irrational anger in him.
What is she hiding? What did she do with Corin downstairs?
The last thread of Kael’s rationality snapped.
Without thinking, he grabbed her arm, yanking her back. His eyes were red with rage, as if he wanted to devour her.
You’re wearing so little–who were you meeting?!”
Ah… that hurts…” Nova winced in pain.
The physical ache in her arm was nothing compared to the pain in her heart.
or a moment, she couldn’t believe the man she’d loved for nine years had said something so humiliating.
He always knew exactly how to break her heart…
Well? Answer me!” Kael’s voice dropped, his grip tightening on her wrist.
It hurts–let me go!” Nova’s eyes turned red with humiliation as she struggled.
he’d always hated pain. Once, when she’d accidentally cut her hand, Kael had been so heartbroken he’d wanted to take the pain for her.
le’d known that…
But now, he didn’t care about her at all–he’d even hurt her.
(3)
