Chapter 334: Outside the hall, Colton stood in grim silence, watching as Allison laughed and chatted with the others, her demeanor lively and carefree.
Colton, youve barely recovered, and after what happened with Allison today, do you really want to go back in there? Melanys expression was strained, her discomfort evident.
To be honest, she wanted nothing more than to leave this place as quickly as possible.
The auctions conclusion had been humiliating enough, but the image of the knife Allison had casually tossed still haunted her and sent a cold shiver down her spine.
Lets just head back.
Besides, youre injured.
You need to see a doctor right away, she continued, gently covering the cut on her cheek, a fresh reminder of how close shed cto a far worse fate.
If that knife had veered just a fraction further, it wouldnt have been a simple woundit would have scarred her for life.
Before, Colton wouldve rushed to comfort Melany, his words soft and reassuring.
But now? Since waking up, Colton had becdistant, his silence heavy, his expression cold and unreadable. You go on ahead, he said, his voice bleak and his mood matching it.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHe had questions for Allison, things he needed answers to.
As much as he hated to admit it, she had loved him once.
There was no denying the things she had done, the lengths she had gone to.
And yet, something in his chest felt tight, like a knot he couldnt untangle.
He couldnt let it go, but he couldnt face it either.
I still have sthings to ask Allison.
Colton needed to understand why Allison had been deceiving him for the past three yearswhether it was about Cobweb or the sudden reveal of her pottery and perfume-making skills, talents she had never shown.
He could have brushed those things aside, but what struck him hardest, the thing he couldnt shake, was her closeness to those other men.
What was going on between them? He didnt believe that Allison could just stop loving him.
When Melany heard his thoughts, she didnt even cry.
Instead, her voice cout slowly, deliberately, each word like a stab.
Colton, do you want to get back together with your ex-wife? The day had already drained her to the breaking point.
Being humiliated by Allison at the auction was bad enoughalmost losing her life to that insane woman was worse.
When Allison had brandished the Cobweb Platinum Card, Melany had beca laughingstock, her reputation shredded.
Every mocking glance, every whispered insult, had made her wish she could disappear into the ground.
She could endure all of these, but she just couldnt stand the idea that Colton, who had adored her for years like a loyal companion, might now cast her aside for Allison.
Coltons forehead creased at her question.
Dont start acting irrational.
Realizing his tone had cout sharper than he intended, Colton softened, reining in his frustration.
I just need to talk to her about Cobweb.
My mothers condition isnt improving, the hacker project has been delayed indefinitely, and now the auction hasnt gone as planned.
Cobweb is the only real option left to turn this around.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmColton didnt understand why Allison was always on his mind, even when the woman he loved was standing right next to him.
His words were only half the truth.
It was true that he needed information about Cobweb, but there was more to it.
Another part of him wanted to see Allison to figure out when she had met those other men and how she F had moved on so quickly.
Even though they were divorced, he m still felt a strange possessiveness shange ve over her The loss of control was eating at him, gnawing at his every thought.
Melany, you trust me, dont you? Colton exhaled deeply, meeting her gaze.
We cant leave without making progress.
Then Ill cwith you.
Alright.
Melany agreed, but inside, her heart seethed with a fury so intense that it e was almost unbearable.