Chapter 5%
Chase’s heart skipped a sharp beat. His grip on Rosalie’s wrist tightened instinctively
“That’s our wedding ring, how could you just throw it away?”
Rosalie answered casually. Tve put on some weight lately. The ning doesn’t fit anymore, so I tossed it.”
That was only part of the truth. More importantly, now that she had succeeded in getting pregnant, there was no need to keep up the charade of a loving mamage with Chase
Suddenly, a startled cry echoed from Isla’s hospital room. “ANI
Chase rushed over without hesitation. “Isla, what happened?”
“Brother, I accidentally fell out of bed…”
He gently lifted her back onto the mattress, concem flooding his eyes./
But his gaze lingered on Rosalie’s retreating figure.
The wedding ning on his own hand suddenly felt painfully out of place.
Isla called his name several times, breaking through his reverie. “Brother, I’m hurt. Can you massage it for me?”
As Chase massaged her injury, his mind kept drifting back to his earlier conversation with Rosalie.
Isla pouted softly. “Brother, I want that pear blossom cake from Roseville Bakery tomorrow. Will you get it for me?“%
Chase, who had always spoiled her, surprised himself by refusing this time. “No. You’d have to wait in line for hours. I’ll have my assistant pick it up for you. Rosalie is being discharged tomorrow. I need to bring her home.“%
The ride back was quiet filled only with the hum of the engine and a heavy silence.
Suddenly, Chase broke the stillness. “If the ring doesn’t fit anymore, it can be resized. But since you threw it away, I’ve already booked an appointment with the designer to make a new one for you. It’s set for three days from now, he’ll reach out to you.”
Three days.
Rosalie froze, that was exactly the day she planned to leave.
She replied with a faint shrug, “Hmm.” After all, she had no intention of ever wearing that ring again.
Chase didn’t notice anything unusual and felt a small wave of relief wash over him.
But just as they stepped inside, a hospital report slipped from Rosalie’s bag and fluttered to the floor.
Chase reached to pick it up, but Rosalie was quicker.
It was her pregnancy report.
Chase caught a fleeting glimpse of a uterine ultrasound, and a spark of excitement stirred in his chest. “Rosalie, are you pre-“2
Before he could finish, Rosalie cut him off coolly. “The poisoning was severe this time. It damaged my uterus, so the doctor ordered an ultrasound. “I
A hollow ache settled in Chase’s heart, though a nagging doubt still lingered. “Rosalie, let me see your report-
But she interrupted again, her voice sharp. “Chase, Isla isn’t as innocent as she seems. She’s been scheming all along, using you to destroy the Hollis family.”
That single accusation ignited a flare of rage in Chase, and the pregnancy report slipped completely from his mind.
His face darkened with a shadow of pain. “Rosalie, I know Isla went too far this time, but she’s been shaken by those recent murders. Her mind is fragile, and when she hurt you, she wasn’t in control. You’re fine now, so why keep holding on to this grudge and staining her name? Isla has always been kind…“I
Rosalie opened her mouth to reply but fell silent.
There was no reason with someone so determined to destroy. She had done her part to warn him that if Chase refused to believe her, that was his burden.
From what she understood, between the twin brothers Chase and Easton, the family had always favored Chase. Easton had never found happiness there. He had confided in her more than once, sharing the pain of growing up in such an unfair home. Given all that, what happened in the Hollis family was no longer her concem.I
Rosalie stepped into the guest room, voice cool. “Do as you please.“T
Chase followed close behind. “Rosalie.T
But she blocked the door firmly “Since Isla’s mental trauma‘ won’t heal anytime soon, we won’t be sharing a room for the next few days.“&
A surge of frustration crashed over Chase. Rosalie had always longed for his attention, even craved his touch. But now, time and again, she pushed him away?
His temper flared, sharp and restless.I
Then, as if a sudden realization struck him, he said softly. “Rosalie, are you jealous of me and isla?”
The beavyweight in his chest seemed to ease immediately. “Isla has always been fragile. Naturally, I’ve had to protect her more. And yes, you’ve suffered a lot these past few days. But I told you from the beginning. I can give you everything except my love.”
“You always wanted to paint your portrait on Hollingsworth Mountain, right? I’ll go with you. No more anger.”
Rosalie’s expression softened, a quiet warmth blooming.
Hollingsworth Mountain was the place where she and Easton first fell in love. They never cared much for photos, and now, with Easton
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that mat in Nan’t libanann f
10:40 AM d
gone, the only way she could remember him was through a portrait in Chase’s likeness. Seizing the chance to capture that moment before leaving the country felt like a blessing.”
A gentle smile spread across her face. “Alright.”2
Chase relaxed fully, a rare smile curving his lips.
Just then, Isla’s voice called out again. “Brother, I still want that pear blossom cake from Roseville Bakery. The one you get yourself.“}] Without hesitation, Chase replied, “I’ll go get it for you right now.”
