Chapter 14

 14:
“If you feel the need to step back, I won’t stand in your way.”
Linsey was momentarily paralyzed by the revelation. Then, gathering her composure, she queried,
“How much debt are we talking about?”
Collin, without missing a beat and with a hint of mischief in his tone, tossed out an astronomical figure.
“What if I said I’m buried under a hundred million dollars?”
As he anticipated, Linsey’s previously unflappable demeanor faltered ever so slightly.
He braced himself, certain she would reject the harsh reality of such an immense burden. Yet, Linsey defied his expectations once more. Her voice was firm with resolve as she responded,
“It’s fine. We’ll tackle it together. Somehow, we’ll manage.”
Collin felt a tumultuous storm surge within him, yet he managed to maintain a facade of calm. He let out a soft, incredulous laugh, fixing her with a skeptical look.
“And how, exactly, do you propose we manage this, Linsey? We’re not talking about a mere hundred dollars here.”
Linsey’s eyes dropped, her mind racing through her financial history. She had devoted most of her earnings to Felix and had little to show for it now.
However, her confidence rekindled as she considered her skills in design.
“Don’t fret. I’m on the job hunt,” she declared, her voice tinged with a newfound optimism. “I’ve been sending out resumes these past few days. I’m certain I’ll hear back soon.” She paused, her expression earnest.
“No matter the circumstances, I refuse to let you face this alone.”
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She reached out instinctively, her fingers brushing against his hand that lay on the desk, offering a silent vow of solidarity.
The instant their skins made contact, Collin felt an electric shock surge through his chest, darkening his expression immediately. Without hesitation, he jerked his hand away from Linsey’s grasp.
Her unpreparedness for his sudden motion caused Linsey to emit a soft, startled gasp. She looked at him with wide eyes, her silence filled with disbelief.
The confusion in her eyes sparked an inexplicable ache in his heart. Tightening his fist, Collin sensed the ghostly softness of her palm still imprinted on the back of his hand.
Linsey stared, her mouth opening slightly as if to speak, then pausing, clearly flustered and unsure of how to react.
It was clear from his demeanor that he had likely found her touch offensive.
Pressing his lips tightly together, Collin averted his eyes, his voice stiff as he offered an explanation.
“I’m not really used to physical contact. Sorry.”
Linsey’s expression softened as she grasped the situation.
His defenses were up, his sense of security so fragile that he instinctively recoiled from her touch.
He averted his gaze, feigning calm, and murmured,
“You may go.”
Linsey paused, her words faltering at her lips, unable to form them. She understood that Collin wouldn’t easily warm up to her or accept her, especially since their acquaintance was so recent.
She herself felt a lingering awkwardness about their arrangement, a sentiment she suspected was even more pronounced for someone as guarded and intricate as Collin.
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