Chapter 1337:
Keith shrugged. “Don’t look at us. We’re usually the ones being pursued, not the other way around. Ask Brad. He’d know better than anyone—and he just had a baby, so he’s in a good mood. Besides, technically, you two are family now.”
Deandre sat up, realizing that actually made sense. Without hesitating, he pulled out his phone and sent Brad a message.
When it came to winning their women back, apparently they had one thing in common—neither of them had any pride to speak of.
Brad, occupied with the baby, replied quickly—with a video link. It led to a shopping page.
Knee Pads.
Deandre stared at the screen. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Brad’s reply came back promptly. “When the standard approaches fail, get down on your knees and beg.”
Deandre went quiet.
Keith leaned over to see the screen and burst out laughing. “You’re seriously supposed to kneel and beg? That’s your advice?”
R𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝗵е 𝗹а𝘵еs𝘵 𝗍r𝗲𝗻𝖽𝘴 o𝗻 𝗀al𝗇𝘰𝘃𝘦𝘭ѕ.𝗰𝘰𝗆
Gill covered her mouth, shoulders shaking. “Right, like that’s ever going to happen.”
Marcus alone said nothing, his expression calm and unreadable as he looked at his cards.
Quietly, though, he thought it just might work.
By putting her husband’s pioneering Snow Mint cultivation method to good use, Dottie had already carved out a secure and prosperous life for herself. Years before, she had bought her daughter a roomy, fully furnished apartment in one of Crolens’s newest and most exclusive luxury complexes.
The moment she heard Melany was coming home, she hurried to freshen everything up.
The moment Evelina stepped inside, she let out a small, uncontrollable gasp. “Wow—the view at night is incredible!”
Melany pulled Dottie into a warm hug. “Thank you for everything, Mom.”
“All that matters is that you’re home.” Dottie’s eyes glistened. They sat together for a long time over a table full of food, talking until the evening wore thin. Then, after hesitating for a while, Dottie finally brought up Deandre. “Did he know you were back?”
Melany gave a small nod. “We came back on the same flight.”
Dottie sighed, a trace of worry in her eyes. “If he won’t leave you alone, I won’t care what anyone thinks—I’ll call Rylie. She’ll make sure you and the child are protected.”
“Don’t bother her,” Melany said softly. “She needs time to recover. I can handle this. You don’t have to worry.”
After a pause, Dottie asked, “What about work? Are you planning to go back to Sweetberry?”
“Yes—as a designer,” Melany replied. “I just need a little time to settle back in.”
That night, Melany slept deeply, finally at ease.
The next morning, Dottie took Evelina to her new school to handle the enrollment. Transfers like this were usually complicated on short notice, with paperwork that could drag on for ten days to two weeks.
But on the very day they arrived, the admissions director personally handled everything—completing the process on the spot and placing Evelina in a class that same afternoon.
Dottie’s expression hardened. She cut straight to the point. “Was Deandre behind this?”
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