He Gave Her Strawberries, Gave Me Hives (Ford and Sylvia) novel Chapter 21

Chapter 1

Three years ago, Cole Nash–the one I loved most just straight–up banished me.

Three years later, I can finally go back home.

But I didn’t love him anymore. Not even close.

Still, everyone was watching me with those same warning looks.

“Iris, seriously? What, she was gonna chase after Cole again? Gonna try to wreck what he has with Wren?”

“Three years away and she still doesn’t get it. Cole was too damn nice–should’ve kept her locked out for good.”

“Right? Someone like her should’ve stayed rotting in jail. Should’ve just died over there!”

I’d just stared at them. Said nothing.

But later, a piece of breaking news hit me that just crushed me completely.

“Finn Reed.”

“Have you seen Finn? My Finn?”

“Please, God, don’t let him be dead.”

“You promised… you said you’d come find me.”

I’d lost it. Completely fucking lost it.

I muttered those sentences for a whole three fucking days. Finally, nobody thought I’d been putting on some act.

Just then, Cole shoved through the crowd and wrapped his arms around me tight. His hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

“Iris, what the hell–what’s happening? Talk to me!”

“Jesus, you’re scaring the shit out of me–please!”

“…WHO THE FUCK IS FINN REED?”

I’d been back in the country for less than an hour.

Already got a dozen nasty texts.

[How do you even have the balls to come back?

[What, nobody over there beat the shit out of you? Someone really should.]

[Too bad your plane didn’t go down and kill you.]

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He Gave Her Strawberries. Gave Me Hives. I Gave Them Both A One–Way Ticket To BANKRUPTCY.

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I didn’t bother reading the rest.

Instead, I pulled out my laptop, opened my email, and typed fast.

Sent just one simple message.

“Hey, I’m back safe and sound.”

The email went through, but his profile showed offline.

No reply. Never would be.

I stared at the screen, feeling lost.

Then I heard footsteps and quickly closed the laptop.

The woman had her hair done up perfectly. My mother.

“Iris, honey, why are you looking at me like I’m a stranger?”

I just zoned out for another moment.

Mom wiped her eyes and left.

Later that night, I heard something crash in the study.

“Think she’s pissed at us?”

“She shoved Wren down the stairs. That poor girl was out cold for three months.”

“Just drop it.”

“Look, it’s over and done with. Col e and Wren are about to get engaged, so let’s not stir up any shit right now.”

My hand trembled slightly around my water glass.

Then I turned and quietly walked away.

The next morning.

I sat slumped at my computer, staring at nothing.

Around noon, I headed downstairs to grab some food.

Mom was in the living room watching TV.

Then the news broke.

#BREAKING: Nash Industries announces engagement ceremony for Cole Nash and Wren Shaw to be held mid–next month#

I froze.

An island ceremony?

I remembered how I used to beg Cole about that.

Thom Both A One–Way Ticket To BANKRUPTCY

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Chapter 1

Pleading with him.

“Islands are so romantic. We could have our engagement there, wouldn’t that be perfect?”

He’d just given me that cold, annoyed look.

“Iris, can you just stop?”

“I’m trying to work.”

When I saw he was pissed, I’d immediately backed down and sat quietly beside him.

“Okay, okay, I won’t say another word. You just focus on work.”

The memory flashed through my mind.

I snapped back to reality.

Mom saw me and looked panicked.

“Iris, honey, what are you doing downstairs?”

“Going somewhere? Where to? I’ll come with you.”

She was already telling someone to get her purse.

Then scrambling for the remote to turn off the TV.

Watching her frantic, nervous movements, I got it.

She was terrified I’d go back to my old ways. Clinging to Cole like some desperate fool.

But Mom, I won’t.

Never again.

“Not going anywhere. Just getting something to eat.”

“What?”

I grabbed a bottle of milk and headed back upstairs.

At the staircase, Mom still looked shocked.

“Iris, you…”

I sniffled quietly.

“Mom, just watch your show. I’m going back up to work.”

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1. A One. Wav Ticket To BANKRUPTCY.