Chapter 10
10:
His grip closed around her wrist in a flash, his voice sharp and unwavering.
“That’s enough. Get out.”
If she went any further, he wasn’t sure he could control himself.
Linsey blinked, thrown off by the abrupt shift.
“What?”
Collin didn’t bother explaining. Instead, he called out, his tone clipped,
“Prepare the room next door for her.”
“Yes, Mr. Riley.”
Without another word, he pushed Linsey toward the doorway and shut the door behind her with a resolute thud. Her suitcase, still untouched, sat abandoned in the hallway.
The echo of the door slamming reverberated down the corridor, leaving Linsey completely stunned.
“What is wrong with him?” She turned to the butler, confusion laced in her voice. “Why did he just snap like that?”
The butler’s voice remained calm, almost practiced.
“Mrs. Riley, Mr. Riley has always been unpredictable. Now that you’re staying here, it’s best to get used to it. After all, he…”
His words trailed off, but Linsey didn’t need him to finish. The pieces were already falling into place.
Collin, despite his young age, was confined to a wheelchair, cast aside by his own family. It was no wonder he carried so much frustration. No wonder he kept pressing her about what she thought of him. He had probably spent years drowning in his own insecurities.
The realization struck her hard, and sympathy settled heavily in her chest. He must have completely misunderstood her. She had to clear things up before he convinced himself that she saw him as less of a man.
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Inside his room, Collin sat in his wheelchair, his jaw clenched as he struggled to steady his breath. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t calm down.
Frustration burned through him as he stood up, entered the bathroom, and turned the faucet on full blast.
The icy water crashed over him, dousing the fire raging inside. It took a long time before he finally wrestled back control.
When he emerged, he ran a towel through his damp hair, still simmering with irritation.
What the hell had Linsey done to him? He couldn’t wrap his head around it. How could a single touch from her make him lose control like that?
The next morning, Linsey freshened up and had just finished getting dressed when a soft knock sounded at her door. She pulled it open to find the butler standing outside.
“Mrs. Riley, breakfast is ready. If you’re finished getting ready, you’re welcome to come down and eat,” he said with respect.
Linsey gave a small nod.
“Alright, thank you.”
As she shut the door, her thoughts drifted back to the events of last night. She had to clear things up with Collin. Breakfast would be the perfect time to apologize.
But when she arrived at the dining room, she found the table set with an extravagant spread—and not a single sign of Collin.
She hesitated, staring at the untouched plates.
“Mrs. Riley, is something the matter? Do the dishes not suit your taste?” the butler asked, his voice warm.
.
.
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