Chapter 849

 849:
She narrowed her eyes and stared hard at Dustin, clearly suspicious.
Dustin stammered, “I never said that! Collin’s always been straight. He never messed around—before Linsey or after!”
He added firmly, “Once he married Linsey, he was loyal. No question about it.”
Dolores pressed her lips together, clearly not buying everything he said. After all, Dustin was Collin’s best friend. Of course he would defend him no matter what.
Either way, she and Caylee had just dodged a major bullet with the whole Zander situation.
Dolores had just started to relax when Dustin suddenly asked, confused, “Wait a second… I swear I heard that kid mention your name.”
He looked around slowly, eyebrows drawn together in confusion. “Does he know you?”
Dolores’s heart jumped into her throat. She froze for a heartbeat, then quickly snapped, “I don’t have anything to do with those people. Don’t be ridiculous.”
Why did Dustin have to suddenly turn sharp at the worst times? He was usually blunt and a bit dense—that should have made him easy to mislead, right?
Her firm denial seemed to throw Dustin off. He nodded, looking honestly confused. “Ah, I made a mistake.”
He scratched the back of his head and gave a little laugh.
Dolores had no interest in dragging this topic out. She clenched her jaw quietly, then changed the subject. “We still haven’t dealt with us. You said you were going to chase me. So what’s the plan, exactly? I’m not some easy prize, you know.”
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Her words pulled Dustin’s attention right back to her.
His face turned bright red, and all that usual tough-guy confidence melted into pure awkwardness.
“I need a little time to plan this right,” he stuttered. Then he straightened up, his voice firmer. “Dolores, I won’t mess this up. I’m gonna work my ass off to win you over. Just wait.”
Dolores looked into his honest, hopeful eyes and couldn’t stop the tiny smile that tugged at her lips.
She thought to herself—God, he was such a sweet idiot.
She hadn’t really planned on making him chase her for too long anyway.
Truth was, she had already fallen for him.
Linsey hadn’t been asleep for long when a gentle warmth stirred her awake, blooming softly in her heart.
It felt like someone had cradled her in quiet tenderness, letting her rest in deep, peaceful sleep.
Without thinking, a soft smile brushed Linsey’s lips. Then, a sweet voice broke the stillness—Zenia’s, bright with joy. “Mommy! You’re up!”
At the sound, Linsey turned her head, her face softening in gentle surprise.
Zenia stood by the hospital bed, leaning close before straightening up. She stretched out her tiny hand, reaching for Linsey’s cheek.
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