Chapter 452
Chapter 452:
I glanced back at Cassian, who stood rooted to the spot.
Finally, the shock wore off, and he moved.
I elbowed Yvaine. “Need me to get rid of him p>
She glanced at Cassian, striding fast up the path. “No, I’ll… I’ll handle him p>
I moved away from the love triangle and rejoined Ashton. “Come on, let’s check out the bridge p>
A short walk later, we stopped at Lover’s Span, a wrought-iron walkway stretched across a narrow gorge.
Every inch of its railings, from the thick handrails to the delicate filigree of the supports, was encrusted with thousands of padlocks.
They gleamed in the misty sunlight.
I looked around, found a weathered stall, and bought a pair of small, heart-shaped locks.
Ashton asked, after I borrowed a marker from the stall owner, “What was your plan if I hadn’t come p>
“Hmm?” I looked up, slightly distracted. “What p>
“If I hadn’t come here with you, would you have bought two locks as well p>
His eyes bore into mine.
“Of course not.” I didn’t need to think before answering.
If not for Yvaine and her two stalker-like suitors, I wouldn’t have come here at all.
And… I glanced at Ashton, who was treating the simple act of writing his name on the lock with such grave solemnity, you’d think he was signing a peace treaty.
I hadn’t said the L-word to him yet, but I didn’t want him to think his feelings, deeper and clearer than mine, were one-sided or unnoticed.
We hung the locks on the bridge, threw away the keys, and grinned at each other.
Ashton leaned in.
gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․com is where your journey begins
I half-closed my eyes, waiting for the kiss.
“Guys p>
Ashton sighed.
I hid a smirk and turned toward the culprit who had ruined the moment.
Yvaine walked toward us, hand in hand with Cade.
I glanced behind them.
Cassian was gone.
For the next three days, we followed Yvaine’s itinerary to the letter—hot springs, night market, lakeside shrine, psychic readings. Cassian never showed up again.
The morning sun poured straight through the studio windows, like someone had wiped the whole city clean overnight.
My post-trip good mood lasted until I spotted the mess on the front table.
Dozens of flower arrangements vied for space.
The ones on the left had started wilting, petals shriveled at the edges, water murky in the glass.
“Priya, where the hell did all these come from p>
She looked up from her laptop and spread both hands. “You missed the circus. Daniel and Rhys have been dropping off bouquets like it’s a contest. One would show up, then half an hour later, the other would too. I kept telling them you weren’t here, but they wouldn’t stop p>
I dropped my bag on the bench. “You’re kidding p>