?Chapter 1098:


    “But…” Linsey began tentatively.


    Dolores understood her instantly. A faint, bittersweet smile tugged at her lips as she slowly shook her head. “Dustin probably only liked me for a moment. Maybe it was just a passing infatuation. The second his mother disapproved, he folded. If his love were truly deep… he would have stood by me.”


    She paused for a moment, brushing her fingers over herp. She had been spending her time juggling work and resttely—going back and forth between the office and home. There had barely been space in her head to think about Dustin.


    Now, when she thought of Dustin, there was only a dull ache. Nothing more.


    The pain hadn’t vanished—only that she had chosen to move forward one step at a time. The wound of a broken heart still throbbed quietly within her, but healing had already begun.


    Dolores’ words left a heaviness in Linsey’s chest, and a worried crease formed between her brows.


    She hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip, uncertain of how to ease Dolores’ pain.


    Then, out of nowhere, a spark of irritation lit up in her eyes. She turned sharply, pinning Collin with an usatory re from across the room.


    Linsey’s voice came out edged with frustration. “Collin, can you tell me what Dustin’s problem is? Seriously, what kind of man acts that irresponsibly?”


    She didn’t stop there; her anger building, she pressed on. “If I ever see you with Dustin again, don’t even think abouting home!” The warning hung in the air, and then Linsey remembered she was actually staying at Collin’s ce. Doubling down, she shot him a stern look. “I’m telling you now, if Dustin shows up, I’ll rough him up myself. And if you dare take his side, I’ll pack up the kids and leave with them!”


    Collin’s face immediately turned frosty. Without a word, he stood up and strode over, an icy intensity rolling off him that even made Dolores tense up beside Linsey.


    Linsey’s eyes grew wide in surprise as she half-expected Collin to snap at her.


    Still, she refused to back down, lifting her chin and locking eyes with him, defiant. “What, Collin? Got something to say?”


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    Collin stopped right in front of Linsey, saying nothing for a moment. Instead, he simply stared, unreadable.


    Dolores, bracing herself, clenched her fists, convinced Collin was about tosh out.


    Already upset with Dustin’s cowardice, she was now ready to jump in if Collin dared to hurt Linsey.


    But then, instead of anger, Collin’s hand reached out, only to rest gently on Linsey’s head. The touch was warm and unexpectedly tender. Just like that, every trace of Linsey’s annoyance melted away. She blinked, surprised by how quickly her irritation vanished, and found herself settling back down.


    Linsey hadn’t anticipated Collin reacting that way.


    They were in the middle of sorting out Dolores and Dustin’s mess when he suddenly went off-script with his behavior.


    Before Linsey could shoot Collin a look of disapproval, he acted as if nothing unusual had happened. His hand dropped back to his side in a perfectly calm motion.


    Without missing a beat, Collin pulled out his phone, holding it out so Dolores could see the message. “Dustin’s asking for another chance. He says he’ll give you a real answer at his birthday party.”


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