?Chapter 1032:


    She didn’t want to mention her again. Not now. Not when things were already tense. So, she changed the subject, searching for anything else to say.


    “Norton, before you go—there’s something else.”


    Norton had started to leave, but the sound of her voice made him stop. “What is it?”


    “I’ve been trying some new recipes. Would you like to taste a few?” she spoke softly, her eyes shining with gentle hope. She gave him a look that was half shy, half inviting.


    “I don’t have time.” His answer was t and quick.


    Her heart sank, but she gave it one more try. “Maybe I could bring them by sometime?”


    She’d seen him eat Yvonne’s cooking before, thinking that would make him say yes.


    “No need.” His words were clipped, edged with impatience.


    “Well, just in case you change your mind,” she said with a weak smile. The disappointment was evident despite her effort to hide it.


    Noticing his coffee cup was empty, she reached for the pot. “Let me refill that for you,” she offered, forcing the smile to stay in ce.


    Norton’s eyes darkened as he looked at her. He had made himself clear before and wasn’t about to repeat himself.


    He shoved the cup she’d touched out of his way, stood up, and said sharply, “Don’t get smart,” before walking off.


    Shelly kept her head down, words forming toote. By then, he was already out of sight.


    Snapping out of it, she knocked the entire coffee set off the table, her rage tightening her features.


    “Always her! Why does Yvonne get to cook for him?”


    By the stream, Yvonne and Margie were finishing up a round of photos. Just as Yvonne was framing another shot, Margie pointed. “Let’s check out that pavilion over there!”


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    They had gone halfway earlier but turned back when Yvonne wanted to see the rock garden. Margie, though, still hadn’t let go of the idea.


    Yvonne hesitated. She had pulled Margie away earlier because she didn’t want to cross paths with Shelly again. But since Shelly hadn’t left yet…


    Even so, Margie looked so eager that Yvonne decided not to stop her. They made their way across the bridge. “Let’s visit the side pavilion first,” Yvonne said. “The one in the center’s still upied.”


    Margie gave a quick nod.


    They walked toward a smaller pavilion tucked into the far corner. Finally, Yvonne began to breathe easier. With enough distance between them and Shelly, things felt safer.


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