Chapter 73

 73:
Collin raised an eyebrow, caught slightly off guard. It was, as far as he could remember, the first time he had ever seen Linsey truly angry. For a split second, he was at a loss for words.
Linsey’s voice broke through his haze of surprise, her tone laced with frustration and concern. “I know the debt is weighing on you, and you push yourself to the limit every day. But you can’t keep this up—working late, skipping meals—it’s taking a toll on you. You were up all night working in the study before, and last night was no different. If you don’t slow down, your body won’t be able to handle it much longer.”
As her words sank in, Collin’s realization dawned slowly. He gently placed the velvet box he was holding on the table and averted his gaze, his voice steady yet distant. “I’m fine, Linsey. I know my limits.”
Her anxiety spiked at his nonchalant dismissal. “Collin, you think you’re fine, but what about those who care about you? Can’t you see the toll it’s taking on them?”
He paused, a flicker of self-mockery shadowing his features. “Who would care about me?”
Linsey blurted out, her tone firm, “I would!”
The room fell silent, charged with the weight of her words.
Collin turned to face her, his expression unreadable, eyes wide with a turbulent mix of shock and a dawning realization of something deeper, perhaps something unspoken until now.
The next second, her senses snapped back into focus, her cheeks blooming a vivid shade of red with sudden shyness.
What the hell was she thinking, saying that out loud? That was downright mortifying!
Yet, deep down, she knew she meant every word. She wouldn’t have ventured all this way just to urge Collin to look after himself if she didn’t care about him.
Lᴀτєѕτ chⲁρτєrs ιn g𝓪l𝗇ovєls.𝑎𝓂
As the silence stretched, becoming almost palpable between them, she hesitated, her voice a mix of urgency and embarrassment. “I didn’t mean it like that. Just hear me out, please…”
Watching her fumble with her words, Collin felt an unfamiliar warmth blossoming in his chest, a gentle thawing he hadn’t experienced before. Prior to this, concern for him had been a rarity.
Sure, the household staff at Vista Villa expressed worry, but it was always a cautious, distant kind, muted by their apprehension of his icy exterior and imposing status. They never really pushed past their boundaries.
But Linsey was different.
Despite his so-called disability and debt, she didn’t think little of him. Fearless and forthright, she was there, genuinely looking out for his well-being.
A lump formed in his throat, catching him off-guard. It took every ounce of his will to maintain a steady facade as he responded in a subdued tone, “I see. I promise to take better care of myself.” Only he understood the depth of the emotions veiled beneath that seemingly composed statement, his voice nearly faltering at the end.
Seeing the unwavering resolve in Collin’s eyes, Linsey sensed that once he made a promise, he would stand by it without faltering. A wave of relief washed over her, and a smile began to dawn on her face.
“You’ve been at this all night, haven’t you? You must be starving,” she said, her tone light and caring. “What can I get you to eat? I’ll whip something up right away.”
“Wait.” Collin’s voice was firm, halting her in her tracks. He still clutched the necklace in his hand—the very piece that had occupied his thoughts even during the whirlwind of his work. “Come here,” he murmured softly.
Linsey cast a quick glance at his wheelchair, assuming he needed assistance with something minor. She approached without hesitation, positioning herself beside him. “What do you need?”
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