Chapter 1314:
Elena continued, “If you have no wish to reconcile, then don’t force yourself. Do what feels right. If he wants to be by your side without expecting anything in return,”
“That’s his decision. And if he can’t accept that, he can walk away.”
In Elena’s mind, Lydia deserved her own peace above everything else. All of this—every tangled feeling—was a result of the decisions Jeffry made. By staying with Lydia in spite of everything, he’d already chosen her over reason. And if they were both willing to keep things the way they were, what was the point of overanalyzing it?
The last thing Lydia expected was Elena’s understanding, especially since Jeffry was her brother.
A real smile broke across Lydia’s face. She clinked her empty glass against the bar. “You know what, Elena? You’re right. I’ve let this eat at me too long. Here’s to letting go!”
After letting her feelings spill out, Lydia quickly flipped the conversation back to Elena. “So, what about you and Wesley? I’ve heard the gossip. Torin’s name keeps coming up, even when he’s nowhere to be seen. Are the people in Klathe completely clueless? You’re a star hacker, a top jewelry designer, and you write bestsellers—and they think you’re living off some man? It’s a joke. With everything you can do, you could be rolling in cash. The idea that you’d need anyone to take care of you is just ridiculous.”
With every word, Lydia’s energy grew. “Should I set those gossipmongers straight? Just because they’re anonymous doesn’t mean they get to run their mouths about you. Torin has nothing on you. And Wesley—who cares if the Spencer family’s rolling in money? You built your own kingdom. Who says you’re not his equal?”
Elena stopped her. “Thanks, Lydia, but a little gossip isn’t going to shake me.”
Still, Lydia’s outburst reminded Elena just how quickly the Yoswye incident had traveled across Klathe. Someone had to be fueling the rumors.
Leaning closer, Lydia whispered, “You positive you don’t need backup?”
With a steady voice, Elena replied, “Absolutely certain.”
Lᴉtєst ϲhαptєrs in g𝓪lnov𝑒l𝑆.𝗰o𝓂
That didn’t stop Lydia from having her fun. Her grin turned sly as she nudged Elena. “So, Elena, you went all the way to Yoswye to save Wesley. Did he give you a proper thank-you? Maybe by offering himself on a silver platter?”
Rolling her eyes, Elena gave Lydia a playful nudge. “Maybe you should go ask him yourself.”
Just the thought made Lydia blanch. “On second thought, I’ll pass. I’d like to live a little longer.”
Only Elena could handle someone like Wesley.
As they enjoyed their drinks inside the Empire, two men happened to cross paths at the front door.
Jeffry lit a cigarette and, almost out of habit, held one out for Wesley.
Wesley shook his head, declining the offer.
With a curious arch of his eyebrow, Jeffry asked, “You quit smoking?”
A silent nod was Wesley’s only answer.
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