Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3010

Moments later, Charlie stepped out of the car, walked into the coffee shop, and—to Wilson's blatant surprise—slid into the seat right next to Emily.

Charlie's icy gaze swept past Wilson, landing solely on Emily. "Didn't you say you were meeting Betty?"

Wilson jumped in. "Are you interrogating Emily, Mr. James? I knew Emily long before you did, as her friend. Is a normal friendship not allowed?"

Charlie's handsome face turned stormy. "I'm speaking to my girlfriend. Since you know you're just a friend and that Emily has a boyfriend, maybe you should learn some boundaries!"

Emily quickly tried to defuse the situation. "Betty is on her way. She'll be here any minute."

Wilson let out a scoff. "You see Emily sitting with another man and you immediately barge in here to demand answers, Mr. James. Well, I've got a question for you. Who was the woman drinking with you at the bar last night?"

The tension in the air instantly plummeted. Emily turned to look at Charlie.

He hadn't picked her up last night, claiming he had something to do. She hadn't thought much of it at the time.

Only now did she realize he had been at a bar with another woman.

Charlie narrowed his eyes. He looked composed, but there was an oppressive coldness rolling off him. "You were stalking me, Mr. Walton?"

"Don't flatter yourself," Wilson shot back. "I just happened to see you."

Charlie laughed coldly. "What a coincidence!"

Wilson's tone turned stern. "I don't think that's the point. Don't you owe Emily an explanation?"

Emily looked at Charlie, her voice soft. "Was it Miss Marsh?"

Charlie stared into Emily's eyes. His expression was unreadable, but it made him seem even more distant and unfathomable. "You know about Melina?"

Charlie tightened his grip on her hand. His expression was downright terrifying as he let her lead him out of the coffee shop.

Wilson's face darkened completely. Clenching his fists, he suddenly swept his arm across the table. The coffee cup flew off and shattered against the floor with a loud crash.

*

Charlie guided Emily into the car. He started the engine, his jaw clenched tight, completely silent.

After passing an intersection, he pulled over to the side of the road, turned to her, and forced the words out. "Melina..."

"Charlie!" Emily cut him off. Her eyelashes fluttered downward. With her delicate features, she looked so soft and pure. "Your ex-girlfriends have nothing to do with me. You don't need to explain anything, and I don't want to hear about your past with them, or whatever happened recently. I trust you, which is why I didn't ask."

The girl was being incredibly generous and understanding, yet it only made Charlie feel an overwhelming sense of suffocation.