Chapter 1194:
Linsey recoiled from his touch, uncomfortable with any closeness. She pushed him away gently, searching for an excuse to escape. “Can I go upstairs to sort my things?”
“Of course,” Collin replied, his mood noticeably lighter. But he wasn’t done.
“On one condition—get rid of that stuff. We don’t need that kind of thing between us,” he added firmly, pointing at the self-defense items.
“But—” Holding onto those things was what Linsey wanted. Any protest died on her lips when Collin’s expression darkened, leaving her to swallow her disappointment. “Alright.”
Once she finished disposing of the items, a heavy mood followed her as she made her way upstairs, suitcase trailing behind.
Up on the second floor, the bedroom awaited. Linsey crossed the threshold, not sparing a glance for the elegant décor. Her suitcase thudded lightly as she dropped it, and she made a beeline for the bed, settling on its edge.
Earlier memories crowded her mind, and the weight of her grievances pressed in all at once. Questions plagued her: what twist of fate had brought her into the path of someone as unfeeling and ruthless as Collin?
Trying to steady herself, she reminded her heart that if she could just endure a bit longer, Felix would surely appear and free her from all this. That thought helped her regain composure, and she soon began straightening up her things.
Suddenly, the sound of the door swinging open broke her concentration. Seeing Collin in the doorway made her tense up immediately, all her walls snapping back into place. “What do you want now?”
Collin’s reply came without hesitation. “This is my room. Why wouldn’t I be here?”
Confusion colored her voice as she scoffed, “Your room? That can’t be right. This is supposed to be—”
Her words stalled as she glanced around, realization dawning on her face. Signs of Collin were everywhere: an ashtray sat on the nightstand, men’s clothing hung neatly in the wardrobe, and every corner spoke of his presence. Spinning around, Linsey stared at him in disbelief. “You mean we’re sharing this?”
“Of course,” Collin replied, his tone unflinching. “If we aren’t sharing a bed, what’s the point of calling it living together?”
Shock left Linsey frozen for a moment, but she quickly retorted, “That’s not happening!”
“And why not?” A cold edge crept into Collin’s gaze.
Felix nearly slipped from Linsey’s lips. “Because… I care about someone else…” Her words faded when Collin’s intense eyes met hers, silencing her before she could go on.
Feigning indifference, Collin pulled out his phone and acted as if he were about to make a call.
Panic set in for Linsey. She recognized this tactic—he would threaten her with Felix’s company again.
Realizing she had little choice, Linsey caved in before he could follow through. “Alright, I get it.”
A trace of approval flickered across Collin’s face as he set his phone down. With a nod toward the wardrobe, he instructed, “Hang your clothes in here with mine.”
Left without any other option, Linsey did as she was told.
Once she had finished, Linsey got ready to follow him downstairs.
