Chapter 11
‘Yeah. I’ve become a foolish wife who lets herself imagine the worst about a man who loves me so much.’
A bitter feeling washed over me. Before I knew it, Chloe had pushed us both onto the dance floor.
Naturally, Hayden’s hand settled around my waist, and I placed my hand on his shoulder.
‘How did you end up falling in love with me?’
Was there a reason for it somewhere in our school days?
‘…Do you really love me?’
I stepped in time to the music out of habit, but my mind was crowded with thoughts about my husband, myself, and Chloe the whole time.
The music ended, and it was only when I found myself nearly collapsing in Hayden’s arms as the dance finished that I came back to my senses.
“Winter. Are you feeling unwell? You look spaced out.”
“What? Oh, no, I’m fine. I was just lost in thought for a moment…”
“Really? If anything’s making you uncomfortable, just tell me. You don’t have to force yourself to stay.”
Hayden, knowing how uneasy I felt in crowds, spoke to me kindly.
“Yes. Don’t worry.”
I smiled faintly, holding Hayden’s hand as we returned to our table. A sense of guilt over doubting his feelings lingered in a corner of my heart.
As soon as Chloe spotted us, she narrowed her eyes and tugged me over.
“Men, step aside. Winter, come here.”
“Huh?”
“Look over there. See that man? The tall one with black hair.”
I followed Chloe’s gaze and saw a man who stood a head taller than everyone else. Even from the side, his good looks stood out: thick eyebrows, neat lashes, a sharp, prominent nose, and full, slightly flushed lips pressed together.
His masculine features and the languid way he moved only added to his allure.
“Don’t be surprised. It’s that guy.”
“That guy…?”
I tilted my head, confused, and Chloe grinned and gave my shoulder a playful tap.
“The Felterwins second son from the rumors.”
“Oh.”
“What do you think? He’s really handsome, isn’t he?”
“He is.”
I was about to comment on how the rumors said he was ugly, but Chloe turned to Hayden.
“Hehe. Hayden, did you hear that? Your wife just admitted that man’s better looking than you.”
“That’s—”
“I should try talking to him.”
That’s not what I meant… Before I could finish, Chloe wrinkled her nose playfully and headed toward the man.
I glanced at Hayden. One of his eyebrows was slightly raised.
It was a subtle sign of displeasure. Hayden rarely showed strong emotions, but this was one of his tells. Had what I said actually upset him?
“Um… I didn’t mean he was better looking than you.”
“Hm?”
“To me, you’re the most handsome.”
My cheeks flushed, but I made sure to say it clearly.
“Ah.”
Hayden tilted his head, then gave a faint smile. But the faint crease in his brow didn’t disappear.
Hayden glanced at Chloe as she approached the man, then turned back to me.
“I don’t mind, Winter.”
He smiled gently, brushing aside a lock of hair that had fallen across my face.
I looked quietly up into his olive eyes. But my gaze didn’t hold him, and Hayden’s attention soon returned to Chloe.
Across those soft olive eyes, it was Chloe—not me—who filled his vision.
My heart began to pound fiercely.
Why? Why don’t you care?
I wanted to demand an answer. Didn’t it bother him at all that I’d just said some other man was more handsome than he was?
When you tell other women they’re beautiful, I get jealous. Don’t you feel the same way?
…Why aren’t you looking at me right now?
‘Could it be that your kindness means nothing?’
Blinking back sudden emotion, I struggled to compose myself. I hated how I kept doubting my husband, no matter how much I tried to rein myself in.
“What the— Seriously. Unbelievable.”
Just then, Chloe returned, grumbling, having failed to strike up a conversation with the man. I shifted my gaze from Hayden’s profile to Chloe.
“What happened?”
“That guy is kind of weird.”
Chloe pouted, her brows drawn together.
“How could he not be interested in me?”
“Looks like our high-and-mighty Chloe finally met her match,” Hayden said, grinning.
“I’m Chloe Bennett! How can he not be interested? Does that make sense? Maybe he likes men.”
Chloe huffed, her lips stuck out in a deep pout. Her confidence was unshakable.
“This is so annoying. I made the first move and he just ignores me. That’s never happened before.”
She stomped her foot in frustration, and Hayden chuckled, tapping her nose.
Only then did the slight tension in Hayden’s brow finally relax.
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.