Charter 18
The cory vibe quickly shifted to one of discomfort and tension
The waiter awkwardly held the roses, sure whether to stay or go. Dylan stayed quiet, and eventually, the waiter slipped away
But Violet didn’t care. She sent a bouquet of burnet roses to his art studio every day. Unfortunately, not a single one even made it through the door before it got tossed straight into the trash
At another art exhibition, Violet stepped in front of Dylan, set on finding out why he wouldn’t take her flowers.
Dylan stared at her for a moment, then gave a sarcastic little laugh. They’d been married for the years, and she still didn’t get him at all.
“I’m not into you, so I’m not interested in anything you’re offering. Violet, why can’t we just part ways without all this drama? We’re divorced now. Shouldn’t you be celebrating that?”
Violet took a deep breath, her eyes sparkling like a night full of stars. Her voice shook as she instinctively reached for his hand.
“No, Dylan Getting woord didn’t make me happy at all. I–I’ve gotten used to having you around It wasn’t until you left that I realized you’re the one I truly love. As for Archer
“Whateret 1 felt for bilm was just me being too stubborn to move on. He’s gone now. Can’t we just go back to how things were?
Dylan looked rather dazed when he heard her last words. Every day of their past had been a tent to him. The last thing he wanted was to go back to that life
He stepped aside to avoid her touch. His voice turned cold. “Violet, do you even hear yourself? You said you got used to me, like I’m some kind of nanny.
“The only difference is most nannies wouldn’t have risked their lives for you like I did. Do you honestly believe you love me? Do you even believe what you’re saying!
Violet’s face went pale.
Since Dylan joined the Padden family at 15, he’d never seen her look this defeated. She had always been proud and untouchable, sitting pretty on her pedestal.
Violet’s expression souted because Dylan hadn’t played along like he used to. He had revealed the uncomfortable truth buried deep inside her. He walked away without looking back.
As soon as he exited the art studio, his phone buzzed with a call from Manty. All he felt was gratitude when it came to her.
She was the one who had given him a chance at returning the favors to the Faddens When Dylan started college, he was nearly that broke after covering his tuition.
He didn’t want to owe anything to the Paddens, so he figured sacrificing five years was the best way to pay them back for the financial help they gave him. And now, he thought it was time to visit Mandy
Callum shot him a worried glance. “You don’t owe the Paddens anything anymore. There’s no reason for you to head back there, What if they try to give you a hard time again?”
After Callum was adopted, his new parents showed him the ropes of high society and shaped many life devums with him.
He knew there were plenty of other forms of repayment instead of marrying Violet just to fix, hinc broken i
But Mandy insisted on having Dylan throw away his future and education just to get stuck in a five–yeage the was just the worst.
Everything went just as Callum had predicted. Mandy chatted a bit with Dylan be shifting the convection to alerging him to consider giving her another chance.
Callum was spot on about this Violet’s heartbreak came from her own choices with Archer, but umehow, Dylan -the one who did nothing wrong was supposed to be the one to save her from it
Dylan had already sacrificed his education, future, and freedom–all pay what he owed to the Padden. He was stuck in this mess for five years and was expected to be grateful to the
Where he could anyone find a deal this sweet?
Honestly, Dylan never wanted any of this in the first place. If he had gotten the chance to finish college and pursue his dream of studying abroad, he could’ve paid the Paddens back with interest in just a year or two.
But Mandy coddled Violet too much and couldn’t stand to watch her facing even a tiny bit of hardship, so she hurried to keep Dylan on a tight leash.
Violet’s life couldn’t be “wrecked” by a little heartbreak, but no one seemed to care if Dylan’s life was ruined in the proceLE
