Chapter 523
523:
A brief pause followed before the woman seemed to realize he was on a call. “Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t notice you were busy.”
“It’s alright,” Collin responded casually, then placed a finger to his lips, signaling the woman to stay quiet.
Linsey blinked and asked softly, “Collin, are you busy?”
Rather than answering, he redirected the conversation. “What were you about to say just now?”
Lowering her gaze slightly, Linsey hesitated. She wanted to ask about the woman’s identity, but if Collin had intended to explain, he would have done so already. Yet, he didn’t. A feeling she couldn’t quite shake told her he was deliberately avoiding the subject.
“It’s nothing important. Just wanted to remind you to take care of yourself while you’re away,” she responded.
Collin chuckled lightly. “Alright, you too.”
Linsey wanted to say more, but before she could, he spoke again. “Finish your meal. I have to go now.”
Left with no choice, she replied softly, “Okay.”
The moment the call ended, Linsey’s heart grew heavy. Why wouldn’t he just explain?
Across from her, Dolores had been observing closely. Seeing Linsey’s once-radiant smile fade into a troubled expression, she frowned in confusion. “What’s wrong? Weren’t you about to tell Collin about the pregnancy just now?” Dolores asked.
Linsey bit her lip, her brows drawing together. “I heard a woman talking to him.”
Dolores looked puzzled. “Didn’t you say he’s on a business trip? It’s probably just a colleague.”
Linsey’s unease only deepened. She met Dolores’ gaze and spoke slowly, deliberately. “Dolores, I’m not imagining things. Something feels off. I just know Collin is keeping something from me. And that woman… she isn’t just a work acquaintance.”
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Dolores was caught off guard. “Linsey, are you saying… Collin is cheating on you?” The idea seemed almost impossible. She had seen the love between them firsthand—how could it suddenly be in question?
Linsey shook her head, frowning. “I don’t think it’s that. But I do feel like he’s hiding something important.”
Dolores thought for a moment before taking her hand seriously. “Linsey, if you’re having doubts, you need real proof. Worrying over nothing won’t do you or the baby any good.”
But Linsey’s concern didn’t fade. Sensing her lingering unease, Dolores tried to reassure her. “Come on, don’t overthink it. I haven’t spent much time with Collin, but from what I’ve seen, he genuinely loves you. He wouldn’t betray you.”
After a moment of thought, she added, “If something really is going on, you’ll find out when he gets back. Just ask him directly.”
Linsey let out a slow breath, feeling some of the weight on her chest lift. “Yeah… you’re right. Maybe I was overthinking.”
Maybe it was just her pregnancy hormones heightening her emotions.
Dolores gave her a reassuring squeeze. “It’s not your fault. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”
Linsey’s thoughts were a mystery to Collin. He sighed with relief after ending the call. It was fortunate that Linsey hadn’t caught on to anything—if she had, it would have spoiled the elaborate surprise he was organizing.
Next to him, Jacquetta Turner, the jewelry designer, offered a warm smile. “Was that your wife, Mr. Riley?”
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