NovelXXXChapter 348 Kali picked a romantic movie, hoping it would rekindle something between them. Throughout the film, she kept "accidentally" brushing her hand against Hastings's, but he didn't even glance at her his eyes never left the screen.
No matter what she did, it was useless. Frustration simmered in her chest.
When the movie ended and Hastings offered to drive her home, Kali couldn't hold it in any longer. She stopped in her tracks and looked up at him. "Hastings, do you... do you hatenow?" Her voice was trembling, on the verge of tears.
Hastings paused, startled. "Of course not. I could never hate you." Kali's eyes reddened as she stared at him, her voice small and wounded. "Then why do I feel like you're pulling away from me? You hardly messageanymore, and you act like you don't wantto touch you. Did I do something wrong?" For a moment, Hastings's expression froze. Honestly, he didn't even know why he'd been keeping his distance from Kali.
They used to be so close.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtSeeing her standing there, eyes shining with unshed tears, he realized he was being unkind.
He hesitated, then said softly, "I'm sorry, Kali. You didn't do anything wrong. This is all on me." She looked at him, searching his face, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Is there someone else, Hastings? Is that why you're pushingaway?" Her words hit him like a punch. Was it because of Citrine that he couldn't bring himself to be near Kali anymore? He searched himself for an answer-but cup empty.
"Hastings?" she called again when he didn't reply, her voice thin with hope.
He snapped out of it and looked at her with gentle firmness. "Kali, you've always been like a sister to me." The light in Kali's eyes faded completely, leaving only disappointment behind.
Lately, Hastings couldn't get that woman's face out of his mind.
It was like he'd been put under skind of spell.
Even when he'd liked Kali, he'd never felt this way-never spent his days and nights thinking about someone to the point of obsession.
This woman was dangerous.
When he couldn't see her, Hastings started following Citrine's social media accounts online, scrolling through every update, piecing together little glimpses into her life. He discovered she'd been accepted early to Crestwood University, yet still insisted on sitting the entrance exam—and even more shocking, she'd aced it, coming in at the very top of her class.
He hadn't realized just how brilliant she was.
He felt like a thief, hiding in the shadows, stealing moments of happiness from her online presence.
But it wasn't enough.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe next day, unable to resist any longer, Hastings went to Crestwood University. He wasn't sure he'd see her, but he had to try his luck.
Fortune was with him-he'd barely arrived when he spotted her.
Citrine was busy hosting a delegation of foreign visitors, walking among a group of people with every shade of skin, speaking a dozen different languages. Hastings could only understand the English; everything else was lost on him. He watched as Citrine switched effortlessly between languages, handling the group with calm confidence. In that moment, she shone.
He'd never imagined she was so gifted, and the realization caught him off guard.
He sat quietly on a bench, watching her introduce Crestwood University's highlights to the visitors. Only when she finished did he approach. He didn't bother hiding his admiration. "Your language skills are impressive."
Citrine gave him a sharp look, her words edged with a mocking smile. "What's wr s wrong? Finally realized you're not even good enough to carry my bag?"
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