Chapter 175 Curtis stood at the hotel entrance, the biting wind ruffling his jacket, like a brooding statue watching their car disappear into the night.
As he slid into the passenger seat, Devin, who had witnessed the entire day's events, cleared his throat and produced a glossy, high-definition photo from his bag.
Curtis glanced at it casually, but his eyes quickly fixed on the image.
"Where'd you get this?" he asked, lifting his gaze.
"I snagged an extra shot this morning when we were all posing for the group photo," Devin said, a hint of pride creeping into his voice, "What do you think of the angle I picked, huh?" It was indeed a great shot, capturing only Curtis and Leanne.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe majestic mountains and the brilliant sunrise created a vivid backdrop, with the two of them standing side by side at the summit. Curtis, with his strong, chiseled features, and Leanne, with her picturesque beauty and an air of gentle grace, outshone even the breathtaking scenery behind them.
The frustration Curtis had carried down from the mountaintop seemed to ease a bit at the sight.
"You're not so bad, kid," he said with a half-smile.
He reached out to take the photo, but Devin pulled it back teasingly.
"I reckon this one's worth more than hers," Devin said with a cocky flick of the photo. "So, bro, what's your offer?" Curtis laughed despite himself, "You in cahoots with them now? Or maybe you'd pr ride in their tank instead?" In the "tank," Selina was rolling her eyes at Joy. "Have sdignity, will you?" "I'm only fleecing the bad guys, not your brother," retorted Joy. "A man's wool is there for the taking-if he's willing to pay, I've got a whole gallery on my phone ready to sell." Her tone was fierce, "I'll bleed him dry!" Selina surreptitiously pulled out her own phone, "Speaking of which, I've got quite the collection myself." Leanne, after hearing an exaggerated account of the day from Selina, didn't comment on Joy's schto profit from her photos.
Joy y was brash, but she had her limits. Her phone was full of tasteful images of Leanne-nothing too revealing, just in case it ever got lost and turned into a scandal.
1/2 Chapter 175 Curtis' odd behavior lately now made sense to Leanne, who gazed out the window, wondering if the divorce papers would cthrough as smoothly as planned in four days.
"I don't get him," mused Joy. "Making a loss on such a deal today." Selina stroked her chin thoughtfully, "Do you think, maybe, he's been acting a bit strange around Leanne recently?" Leanne, resting her head on her hand, blurted out, "He toldhe lovedtoday." A brief silence fell in the vehicle.
Then Joy turned to look at her, sighing meaningfully, "Honey, you should get smore sleep. You're talking nonsense now." Selina burst into laughter, "He loves you? Oh, that's hilarious!" Leanne just sat quietly...
After returning to the city, Selina intended to stay at Leanne's place but was unceremoniously kidnapped by Joy, "She's got work early tomorrow, don't bother her.
f restless in Back at home, Leanne tidied up a bit, soaked in a warm bath, and found herself. bed, perhaps from oversleeping during the day
After lying awake for a while, she got up and rummaged through an old box of odds and ends, retrieving a memory card encased in a transparent box. She plugged the card into her computer, and soon the photos stored on it appeared on the screen.
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They were from a twhen she and Curtis were snowed in at Northwood. The camera, initially purposed for capturing scenic views from their trip, ended up brimming with pictures of her instead. Curtis had taken them all-Leanne eating, reading, or simply daydreaming.
Many were candid, catching her unguarded moments, revealing her most genuine self.
As Leanne flicked through them, she realized how often she had smiled back then.
There were a few videos too. Initially, Leanne had awkwardly tried to block the lens with her hand, but eventually, she let it be.
Curtis loved to secretly film her sleeping, and the last video was from one quiet morning.
Captured in these digital memories was a side of her life she hadn't fully appreciated until now a side that, despite the impending end of her marriage, still glowed with the warmth of unexpected moments.