?Chapter 967:


    Brushing aside the brief annoyance that flickered across Alissa’s face, Collin continued with quiet determination. “As I said earlier, Linsey and I are engaged. We handle whateveres our way together. We don’t keep things from each other.”


    He squeezed Linsey’s hand gently, his affectionate gaze settling on her face. “So, Mrs. Green, whatever you need to discuss, please feel free to share it with both of us. That way, we can figure out the best way to help you.”


    Throughout Collin’s words, Linsey stayed silent, but her fingers found his and squeezed back with silent support. Her feelings mirrored hispletely.


    Still, Alissa turned to address her directly, her voice carrying a subtle challenge. “Linsey, do you feel the same way?”


    Linsey looked straight into Alissa’s eyes, offering a gentle nod before speaking in her characteristically soft tone. “Alissa, please tell us what you and Bart need. If we can help, we absolutely will.”


    Alissa didn’t answer right away. Her gaze dropped momentarily, and a mysterious smile touched the corners of her mouth.


    “Linsey, I genuinely like you,” Alissa began, her voice warming with apparent fondness. “I’ll never forget visiting Gorman at his new ce once, back when he was still with us. We happened to find you there with him that day. We spent such a lovely, peaceful afternoon together. I kept thinking what a remarkable young woman you were, and how perfectly suited you would have been as Gorman’s wife.”


    When those words reached her ears, a wave of unease settled deep inside Linsey.


    Alissa had been recounting something that happened while she was overseas. Gorman had fallen ill with a fever, and out of kindness, she brought him medicine. Worried by how pale he looked, she even cooked something soothing for him.


    But then, without warning, Gorman’s parents showed up for a surprise visit. Since then, Alissa had been stopping by often, iming to visit Gorman. Yet, somehow, each of her visits also included a stop at Linsey’s ce, where she always left generous snacks. Gorman had once mentioned that Alissa adored the kids and loved caring for them.


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    Still, Linsey had her doubts. From what she observed, Alissa’s attention wasn’t truly on the children—it was on her.


    That said, Linsey never felt anything romantic toward Gorman, so she didn’t pay much attention to whatever Alissa might have been thinking. Alissa was kind, and Linsey responded with polite friendliness—nothing more. She kept her distance, always careful not to blur the line between strangers and friends.


    But now, Alissa’s words carried weight. They could stir doubts in Collin’s mind—make him wonder if something had truly happened between her and Gorman while she was away.


    “Alissa, I…” Linsey began, her voice catching. She struggled to find the right words. Her eyes flicked to Collin, panic shing for a moment. But with Gorman’s parents watching, she couldn’t exin anything to him—not now. Whatever she might say would sound wrong in that heavy silence.


    She braced herself for irritation in Collin’s eyes—but it never came. Instead, to her surprise, he gently said, “It’s alright, I understand.”


    Those words washed over her like warm rain. Relief bloomed in her chest. Thank God—he didn’t doubt her.


    Collin might question others, but he would never question Linsey, not the woman he loved.


    He knew the truth: she had left for those four years because of him—because of the lies he once kept hidden. And if she had fallen for someone else during that time, even then, he would have epted it, so long as the man treated her right.


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