Chosen By My Mate's Father-in-law novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Everything Changed

I blinked at William, still a little stunned.

“That’s really generous of you,” I said slowly. “But I... I can’t accept that.”

William’s smile faltered just a little. “It’s not charity. Think of it as an investment. You’re going to do amazing things, Jasmine. I just—” He scratched the back of his neck. “I just want to help you get there.”

I gave a small, grateful smile. “I appreciate it, I really do. But I need to handle it on my own.”

For a second, he looked like he might argue. But then he nodded, a little ruefully, and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Yeah. I figured you’d say that.”

He gave a sheepish grin, then waved. “Good luck tonight. Not that you’ll need it.”

“You too,” I called after him as he made his way toward his seat.

The second he was out of earshot, Mindie leaned in, smirking like the cat that caught the canary. “He totally likes you.”

I rolled my eyes. “He’s just being nice.”

She laughed. “Nice? Girl, he was practically proposing. Are you sure you don’t want to rethink it? Smart, considerate, loaded...”

“Mindie,” I groaned, draping her hand across my shoulders. “Stop.”

“I’m just saying!” she sang, “He’s cute. He’s loyal. And he’s not bad to look at.”

I shook my head, staring down at my hands. “I don’t see him like that. I never have. He’s just not my type.”

Mindie sighed dramatically. “Typical. The good guys never stand a chance with you.”

I snorted. “Yeah, because my track record has been so amazing.”

She elbowed me lightly, and I smiled despite myself. But a little piece of my heart twisted.

William was everything a girl could ask for—kind, honest, and stable.

But when I closed my eyes...

Mindie nudged me. “So... if William’s not your type, what is?”

I opened my mouth, ready to throw out something safe, something easy—but the image that flashed in my mind made the words die on my tongue.

Gareth. It was Gareth’s face I saw.

And that was a problem I didn’t even know how to start fixing.

Tall, broad-shouldered, intense. The way he looked when he drove us to the restaurant. The way he held me so close, like he really wanted me. The way my heart flutters when I think of him.

My cheeks heated so fast I was sure Mindie could see it.

She laughed. “Oh. That bad, huh?”

“Shut up,” I muttered, burying my face in my hands.

Thankfully, the lecturer’s voice boomed over the microphone before she could tease me more.

“Please take your seats! The ceremony will begin shortly.”

I scrambled toward the row where my seat number was printed on the tiny white card. Mindie followed close behind, glancing at her own ticket.

“Looks like I’m right behind you,” she said, giving me a quick thumbs-up.

I smiled weakly and squeezed down the narrow aisle, muttering “sorry” and “excuse me” as I bumped past people’s knees and handbags.

When I finally reached my seat, I froze.

Of course.

Of all the people I could be stuck next to, it had to be Clarissa.

She sat stiffly, arms folded over her glittery dress, glaring at the stage like it personally offended her. She caught sight of me and gave the fakest, tightest smile I’d ever seen. If smiles could kill, hers would’ve stabbed me right between the ribs.

Mindie leaned in. “Good luck,” she muttered like a prayer, before slipping off to her own seat a row behind.

I sighed and tried to ignore Clarissa who was looking so woebegone. What’s wrong with her?

I was still adjusting my skirt to sit down, when I felt it.

A shiver ran down my spine. I turned my head and met Gareth’s eyes. Across the hall, past all the glitter and noise, he was looking straight at me.

Not at the swooning girls by the door. Not at the professors waiting to greet him. Our eyes locked, and for one long, dizzy moment, it was like the whole room went silent. My heart slammed against my ribs.

Panicking, I jerked my gaze away, pretending to adjust my scarf. My hands trembled slightly as I smoothed the fabric.

Get a grip, Jasmine, I scolded myself. You’re imagining things. There’s no way he’s here for you.

I tried to sink deeper into my seat, tossing a quick glance over my shoulder at Mindie. She gave me an encouraging thumbs-up, completely missing the small earthquake happening in my chest.

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