Brinley didn’t even glance at the wad of cash. Her voice cut through the night air, sharp and cold as her steady gaze. “You were drunk while driving and caused this accident. Every consequence is on you—no excuses.”

Colin watched the frost harden in her eyes and chimed in, “Brinley, don’t bother with trash like him. I’ll take it from here.”

His stare locked onto the man, sharp enough to pin him in place. “Well? Are you leaving on your own, or should I call the police to escort you?”

That was all it took. The group scattered like pigeons startled off a square, scrambling back into their SUV before roaring away and leaving the crash site littered with glass and dust.

Silence draped over the street.

Colin didn’t look back at Brinley right away. He crouched beside the overturned Mercedes, scanning the twisted frame.

When he finally turned to her, the hard edge in his eyes softened into worry. “Were you hurt?”

His gaze dropped to her hand.

The bruise blooming across her knuckles made his brow crease. “I’ve got a first aid kit in my car. Let me clean that up.”

Brinley slipped her hand behind her back, dismissing his concern without meeting his eyes. “No need to trouble yourself, Mr. Palmer. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

She pulled out her phone, her voice brisk as she relayed their location to emergency services.

After hanging up, she dialed her insurance next, her focus never drifting Colin’s way.

Every so often, she brushed her windblown hair behind her ear or lowered her gaze to check a message.

What she didn’t realize was that every small movement was being quietly captured on camera.

Colin had thought stepping in might thaw the wall between them, that helping her could draw even a flicker of warmth. Instead, she remained distant—untouched, colder than ever—as if he weren’t even there.

The rejection twisted inside his chest until it was almost unbearable. He stepped closer, unable to hold back.

“Brinley… I know you’re still furious with me. And I deserve it. I’ve regretted every single day of these past months. I was wrong. I never should have betrayed you…”

“Mr. Palmer.” Her merciless interruption sliced through his words. “The past is nothing to me now. I’ve said it before—I am Austin’s wife. Whatever there was between us no longer exists.”

Those two words—Austin’s wife—stabbed through Colin like barbed wire.

His fists curled at his sides, but he swallowed the ache, forcing composure. “Yes, you married him. But don’t think I don’t see it—he doesn’t value you. If he did, would you be stranded on a dark road in the middle of the night, left to face an accident alone?”

Brinley’s reply was another frosty glance. “My marriage is none of your concern. Worry about yourself. Miss Russell is still carrying your child, yet instead of standing by her side, you’re here sticking your nose where it shouldn’t be. Tell me—does that sound like a man behaving appropriately?”

Her words hit Colin where it hurt.

He clenched his jaw, swallowed back the sting of anger, and forced his tone into something gentler. “Your car looks pretty banged up. Want me to call in a favor at a repair shop I know? They’re good—best in the city. They’ll have it looking brand new.”

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