Chapter 776
776:
A flicker of irony crossed Linsey’s eyes as the memory settled in.
Even after four long years, the sting of betrayal hadn’t completely dulled. The pain still tightened around her chest whenever she revisited that .
“Do you like the necklace, Linsey?” Gorman’s voice cut into her spiral of thoughts.
She took a moment before blinking slowly and answering in a composed tone, “Not really.”
She told the lie without a moment’s hesitation.
Truthfully, she found the necklace captivating. But accepting another gift from Gorman was something she wasn’t willing to do.
After considering for a moment, Gorman added, “To me, it looks like it was made for you. It reflects the grace and quiet strength you carry.”
His comment caught Linsey slightly off guard. She let out a soft, almost amused breath and replied, “Were you not listening to the auctioneer earlier? This necklace is considered a once-in-a-lifetime piece. The real question is whether I’m even good enough to wear it, not the other way around. If anyone overheard you, they’d probably think I was full of myself.”
A quiet chuckle escaped Gorman as he said, “Let them talk. Anyone who thinks you don’t deserve that necklace clearly doesn’t recognize beauty or value when they see it.”
Rather than continuing the pointless back-and-forth, Linsey chose to shift the topic.
After a brief pause, she spoke more seriously. “You’ve already spent enough tonight. This necklace is only going to get more expensive. There’s no need to throw caution to the wind.”
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Gorman gave her a respectful nod, but then, out of nowhere, he burst into laughter.
The sudden reaction caught Linsey off guard. “What’s so funny?” she asked with a hint of confusion.
“It’s nothing.” Gorman waved a hand dismissively as his laughter faded.
What he didn’t share was the thought that had just crossed his mind—Linsey had sounded like a wife reminding her husband not to overspend.
Still, he kept that thought tucked away. Saying it aloud would only irritate her, and he wasn’t about to push his luck.
On the other side, Collin sat still, though his attention had been drifting toward Linsey without him realizing it.
His eyes were drawn to the way she and Gorman interacted, calm and familiar.
Each time he imagined Linsey might have already had a daughter carrying her features with Gorman, a sharp pang and bitterness tightened in his chest.
If that child truly existed, then whatever chance he still held of reconciling with Linsey was gone for good.
In that scenario, he would spend the rest of his life watching her build a future with someone else, quietly carrying that regret wherever he went.
Just then, Haven leaned closer, her eyes still fixed on the necklace. “Collin, isn’t this piece absolutely breathtaking?”
Snapped out of his thoughts, Collin quickly straightened and replied in an even tone, “It’s the centerpiece of the night. It’s meant to impress.”
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