Chapter 782
782:
She watched him now with cold clarity. He was a man clearly moved on, so thoroughly enchanted by Haven that he was willing to splurge extravagantly just to keep her smiling.
The auction drew to a close, but the celebration carried on, spilling into the adjacent ballroom with soft jazz, clinking glasses, and glowing candlelight.
Since Collin claimed the Star of the Desert, Haven had been smiling from ear to ear. She was over the moon, completely forgetting the warning he had given her in the corridor earlier.
Though Collin might harbor lingering feelings for his ex-wife—but tonight, it was she who stood at his side.
She believed that soon, she would erase Linsey’s presence from his world entirely.
“Collin,” she said with a bright smile, lifting her glass to his, “a toast to you. Thank you for taking such good care of me tonight.”
He clinked his glass to hers with a composed smile. “No need to thank me. My grandmother asked me to keep an eye on you. If you want to thank anyone, thank her.”
Across the room, Linsey stood still, her gaze locked on the sight of the two of them standing together—so casual, so intimate.
Her face was unreadable. She guessed she would hear the news of Collin and Haven’s engagement soon.
She looked away sharply, trying to suppress the sudden tightness in her chest.
Lɒtєst ϲh𝒶ptєrs ιn g𝓪lnovеℓ𝓈.𝗰𝗼𝗺
With Gorman called away on urgent business, she was spared the need for small talk.
She set her wine glass down, her decision made. She had had enough of the charade. She slipped away from the crowd and headed toward the restroom.
It was empty when she entered, so with a slow breath, she pulled off her mask, as if shedding the suffocation of the night.
Leaning against the cool marble sink, she exhaled—deeply, fully—feeling the weight of the evening press against her ribs.
She washed her hands slowly, and when she finally lifted her eyes to the mirror, she was taken aback.
Heavy foundation masked her complexion. Her eyes were bold, lined and shadowed in a way that hardened her gaze. Her lips were painted a vivid, fearless red.
She blinked, then gave a faint, dry smile.
For a moment, she had forgotten just how dramatic her makeup was tonight. It had been a deliberate choice—her mask, her disguise. She was so far removed from who she normally was.
The longer she stared, the stranger it felt.
She considered washing it off before leaving, but her phone buzzed from deep within her purse.
She dried her hands, picked up her mask, and walked out of the restroom.
When Linsey saw Zenia’s name flashing on the screen, a tender warmth immediately softened her eyes.
.
.
.