Chapter 54
54:
“It’s not that,” Collin replied casually, but before he could stop himself, Linsey’s bright, smiling face flashed through his mind.
“What?” Dustin frowned, confused. “Then what is it?”
Just then, his eyes landed on Collin’s outfit, and a flicker of amusement crossed his face.
“Wait a second—what’s going on with you today? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear anything like that. Your wardrobe is basically all dark and boring, but your jacket and shirt don’t match that usual style.”
Collin, surprisingly, didn’t seem the least bit annoyed by Dustin’s over-the-top reaction. Instead, a rare trace of warmth flickered in his usually cold eyes. “I’m wearing the clothes my wife picked out for me. You got a problem with that?”
Dustin’s curiosity instantly sparked, and he leaned forward with excitement. “Wait—are you talking about Linsey? Well, well, I didn’t think things would move this fast between you two! You’re already wearing the clothes she picked for you?”
After a brief pause, something seemed to click in his mind, and his expression turned playful. “Hold on—I saw you in a different outfit earlier today. Don’t tell me you changed because you were, you know, in the middle of something… and I interrupted?”
The moment the words left his mouth, Dustin put on an exaggeratedly remorseful face and started apologizing without pause. “Man, I’m really sorry for ruining your perfect evening!”
Collin’s expression hardened, and his voice carried a sharp edge. “Shut up. Stop jumping to conclusions. There’s nothing going on between us.”
Dustin, having known Collin for years, wasn’t the least bit intimidated by his harsh tone. Instead, he smirked and said, “Well, not yet—but who knows? Things could change.”
He took a slow sip of his drink before adding casually, “I mean, you only rushed into marriage to grant your grandma’s wish, right?” Raising an eyebrow, he gave Collin a knowing smile. “She always thought you were too closed off and wanted you to settle down, start a family, and actually be happy. Honestly? I think Linsey’s a great match for you.”
gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․cøm is a world of wonder
Collin had lost his birth mother when he was young. After his father remarried, his stepmother—a venomous woman who saw him as nothing more than an obstacle—had gone so far as to orchestrate a car accident that nearly cost him his legs. To protect himself, he had feigned disability, letting those who wished him harm lower their guard. If he hadn’t, he might not have survived. For years, the only person in the Riley family who had ever stood by him was Ivy, but she had her limitations. That was why, once he reached adulthood, he had secretly built CR Corporation from the ground up.
As the company flourished, Collin finally had the power to leave the Riley family—but he couldn’t bear to abandon Ivy, the only one who had ever cared for him. She had long hoped to find him a kind and dependable woman who could stand by his side.
At first, he had rejected them all. To him, women couldn’t be trusted. They might pretend to sympathize with his past, but none would willingly marry a man who was both powerless and supposedly disabled.
But this year, Ivy’s health had taken a sharp downturn. The doctors warned that she didn’t have much time left. To give her peace of mind, he had finally relented and agreed to marry—hoping she could see him happy with a family before she was gone. Yet, fate had other plans. His original bride had fled, and that twist of events had led to his unexpected marriage to Linsey.
Lost in thought, he sat in silence.
Dustin, watching him closely, sighed and said, “Look, man, stop overcomplicating things. Just try to get closer to Linsey—see where it goes. And hey, once you have a kid, your grandma can finally rest easy. Makes sense, doesn’t it?”
Collin had considered this before, but his answer remained firm. “I married to fulfill my grandma’s wish, yeah—but I’m not going to treat it like it’s nothing.”
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