Chapter 44

I remembered that night at the Laurent party, how he dropped everything the moment I needed to leave. He cancelled the whole party and personally drove me to the hospital. And that coat. He’d wrapped it around me like I was something worth saving. Rhys would’ve let me pass out on the marble floor and asked someone to mop around me. So yeah. Ashton Laurent was a lot of things. But ‘just some guy’ wasn’t one of them. ‘He treats me well,’ I said again, louder this time. ‘Aunt Louisa, I’ve found something better. You don’t need to worry about me anymore.’ Louisa’s eyes filled up again. ‘I don’t even know what to say. Rhys was never meant for you, I see that now. He’s the one who lost out.’ I glanced pointedly at the box on the table. ‘Aunt Louisa…’ She let out a resigned sigh. ‘I get it. Whatever bond you and Rhys had, it’s over. That old keepsake means nothing now. I’ll go get it for you.’ I watched her climb the stairs, slow and hunched like the weight of family disappointment was draggi