?Chapter 1052:


    The quiet realization dawned on Dolores that both Dustin and Hester must have willingly granted Joanne such authority.


    Hester would likely announce Joanne as Dustin’s fiancée at the uing banquet.


    That coveted title, once the subject of her deepest dreams, now seemed forever beyond her reach.


    A bitter smile tugged at Dolores’ lips. She no longer possessed the strength to n any surprises for Dustin.


    Exhaustion had imed herpletely.


    Hester had been ready to interrogate Joanne further about her conversation with Dolores. But seeing Dustin and Joanne standing so intimately together, arms intertwined, made her abandon all other concerns in that instant.


    Hester had bent over backward to guarantee Dustin would end up with a daughter-inw she personally approved of. Whether Dustin and Joanne felt anything real for each other never entered into her calctions.


    As they exited the jewelry shop, Hester cast a sidelong nce at Joanne, her expression impossible to read. “Joanne, you’re actually going to invite Dolores and Linsey to Dustin’s birthday party?”


    In Hester’s mind, Joanne had no clue about any lingering ties between Dolores and Dustin. She genuinely believed the invitation made perfect sense.


    Letting Dolores witness Dustin’s growing bond with Joanne firsthand might convince her to step aside, perhaps even sooner than expected. Hester doubted Dolores had any deep attachment to Dustin, and she couldn’t imagine Dustin being unable to move on without Dolores. To her, it was all just youthful infatuation—nothing more than a temporary spark.


    Did those two really believe they were destined soulmates?


    Joanne offered a gentle smile. “Absolutely. We’re all friends—it would be strange not to include them.”


    After a thoughtful moment, Joanne turned to Dustin and continued, “Besides, Collin has been Dustin’s closest friend for decades. Linsey’s his wife, so it only makes sense they’ll both be there.”


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    Dustin’s stoic demeanor faltered ever so slightly, but he kept his thoughts to himself.


    Not missing a beat, Joanne watched him carefully, catching the subtle shift in his expression.


    Right then, an odd suspicion began to form in her mind.


    Maybe she had been going about this the wrong way from the beginning. Rather than trying to separate Linsey and Dolores, should her efforts have been directed at Dustin all along?


    That notion, absurd at first, sent a glimmer of hope flickering through Joanne’s otherwise clouded gaze.


    A quietugh slipped out as she muttered under her breath, “So that’s how it is.”


    A long silence stretched before Dustin finally spoke, his voice low and brooding. “Do whatever you think is best.”


    Hosting a birthday party had never been his idea—he would have skipped it if he could. Dolores still filled every corner of his thoughts, pushing everything else aside.


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