Chapter 177


    Chapter 177


    Leanne rubbed her temples, feeling the weight of the lie she had told at the peak of theirst hike. She


    had only woven that tale to keep him from clinging on to hope.


    In just a few days, she’d have the divorce papers in hand, and whatever had transpired between her


    and Curtis wouldn’t matter anymore. The final curtain would fall, and they’d go their separate ways,


    strangers once again.


    What was the point in letting him know that once, she had loved him deeply?


    She didn’t want toplicate things any further.


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    “So, what exactly do you want to believe?” Leanne’s tone was icy. “Do I need to spell out the answers


    you want to hear for you to ept them? If that’s the case, I can do that.”


    “I don’t care about the answers. Come downstairs and tell me to my face, looking me in the eye,” he


    insisted.


    Leanne pulled the curtains closed. “It’ste, I’m heading to bed now.”


    Curtis spoke in a measured pace, leaving no room for rebuttal. “If you don’te down, I’ming up.


    You know I’m a gentleman by day, but at night, all bets are off.”


    Leanne paused for a few seconds. “Why do you always get to call the shots?”


    “You dictate when to be cold, when to im it’s love. You jet off to Embend on a whim, and return


    whenever it pleases you. I have to walk whichever path you point me to. Now you summon me in the


    middle of the night, and I’m just supposed toply? Why?”


    Curtis fell silent. His earlier assertiveness seemed to have evaporated as he softened tone, sounding


    resigned. “I apologize. You don’t have toe down if you don’t want You call the shots, okay, your


    highness?”


    But his highness was unforgiving. “If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.” Leanne said coldly.


    Before Curtis could say another word, the line went dead with a definitive click.


    Winter in Stonebridge was hard on the magnolias that thrived in warmth; they withered, casting silent


    shadows over Curtis as he stood outside.


    He nced at the phone in his hand and then up at the now-dark window.


    A long sigh escaped him in the chilly night breeze.


    The next morning, while Leanne was brushing her teeth, the doorbell rang. Expecting Joy, who had


    offered her a lift to work, she dashed to the door.


    Curtis stood on the doorstep, raising an eyebrow as the door swung open. “You actually opened the


    door? Why the warm wee today?”


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    Chapter 177


    Leanne, mouth full of toothpaste foam, tried to speak, but quickly shut her mouth as her


    electric toothbrush buzzed away.


    “A rather unique way to say good morning,” Curtis chuckled. “You too.” He held up a bag of takeout he


    had brought along. “Brought you breakfast.”


    With a bang, the door mmed in his face..


    Curtis touched his almost-bumped nose and tsked. “That was a bit harsh.”


    After Leanne got ready, received a text from Joy, and slipped on her shoes, she reopened the door.


    Curtis hadn’t left; he was casually scrolling through his phone against the hallway wall.


    As he heard the door, he looked up, and Leanne noticed the breakfast was gone.


    “Gave it to your neighbor,” he said, pocketing his phone. “Changed your mind? Want me to get it


    back?”


    Leanne, who initially didn’t intend to get involved, swiftly nabbed him as he was about to knock on the


    neighbor’s door.


    “Maybe you have no shame, but I do.”


    Curtis nced at her hand on his.” “So did you ever love me?”


    Leanne let go and turned on her heel, heading for the elevator with a swift stride.