Chapter 77
Chapter 77:
Colin.
The calm certainty in the way he moved made it obvious he’d been lingering nearby, waiting for her to arrive.
Austin lifted a brow, disdain flickering in his eyes. Colin had the audacity to pester her again.
Inside the office, the air was bright with chatter and the sweet scent of strawberry cake. Employees crowded around the long conference table, laughing as they enjoyed generous slices.
с𝘩𝗂𝗇е𝘴e 𝗇o𝘷е𝘭s 𝘁𝘳𝖺𝗇ѕl𝖺𝘵𝖾𝘥 оn 𝘨𝗮𝗅𝗇𝘰𝘃еl𝘀.с𝗈m
“Brinley, this cake you picked out is incredible!” Corbin Burke, the eager intern, spoke around a mouthful, his cheeks puffed like a chipmunk.
Brinley chuckled softly and handed him a napkin, shaking her head with gentle disapproval. “Slow down. There’s more than enough to go around p>
No sooner had the words left her lips than movement beyond the glass door caught her eye.
Colin stood there in a perfectly pressed gray suit, a paper bag dangling from his hand. His tall frame filled the doorway, but the stiffness in his posture betrayed a rare hint of unease.
He remained outside, staring at her through the glass, his expression tangled with emotions she couldn’t quite name.
For the briefest heartbeat, she almost saw the Colin who had once spoiled her without restraint.
The illusion vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Brinley understood better than anyone. He had squandered her love, and now that they were broken up, he regretted it. Maybe a trace of affection still lingered, but more than that, he simply couldn’t accept the fact that she was walking away from his life.
Her faint smile faded. After a quiet word to her employees, Brinley turned toward the door.
She pushed the glass door open, her expression unreadable. “Mr. Palmer, do you need something from me?” she asked, her tone measured and distant.
Colin blinked as if startled out of a daze. He quickly held out a paper bag, his voice carrying a hint of nervous hope. “I happened to be nearby and saw this bakery. You used to love their pastries, so I thought I’d bring some for you p>
The logo on the bag belonged to the shop she had once praised endlessly—saying their pastries were flaky, buttery, and the perfect kind of sweet.
She didn’t reach for it. With a cool shake of her head, she replied, “Thank you, but I don’t eat those anymore p>
Colin’s hand stalled midair, the bag crinkling slightly in his grip. Disappointment clouded his eyes for a fleeting second before he forced a polite smile. “I see p>
His gaze drifted across the open office space, and genuine surprise softened his features. “I didn’t realize your company had grown so much. I thought you were still managing a small studio p>
“It started as nothing more than a cramped little studio,” Brinley said, leaning against the doorframe with her arms loosely folded, her posture quietly guarded. “But little by little, it expanded p>
“That’s impressive,” Colin replied, genuine admiration coloring his tone. “I didn’t realize you were so skilled in business.” His gaze stayed steady. “Balancing work while running the company… you’ve put in a lot of effort p>
A faint sting tugged at Brinley’s heart, a dull ache rising like an old bruise.
Of course, he had no idea.
Back then, she had spent her days at the company and her nights shut away in the study, poring over plans and research until the first pale light of dawn spilled across her desk.