He Gave Her Strawberries, Gave Me Hives (Ford and Sylvia) novel Chapter 22

Chapter 2

After Nash Industries announced the engagement, old stories started surfacing again.

Including the rumors about how I’d supposedly lost my mind and pushed Wren down the stairs.

Half the comments were congratulations, half were trashing me.

“OMG finally! Congrats you two!”

“Aww, wishing you a lifetime of happiness!”

“You guys better be happy forever!”

“Where’s Iris now? Probably hiding somewhere, jealous as hell.”

“I heard they shipped her ass overseas.”

“What a psycho. Did she really think hurting someone would make Cole fall for her?”

“All that scheming for nothing, Imao. Karma’s a bitch.”

I scrolled through numbly, then closed the browser.

But at dinner, I didn’t expect Dad to bring Cole home.

འ —

I was heading downstairs to eat when I saw them.

I froze at the top of the stairs.

My whole body went numb.

What was he doing at our house?

Cole Nash was a big shot–he knew everything the second it happened.

Of course he already knew I was back.

Wait.

I could only return because he’d given the okay. Dad wouldn’t have dared bring me home otherwise.

Dad led him toward the study.

Then signaled Mom to quickly get my stunned ass out of there before I caused trouble.

I followed Mom to the living room with my head down.

The study door stayed open.

One glance and I could see his tall figure.

11. BANIIDUTYTYV

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Chapter 2

Mack suit, perfectly styled hair.

He was always the kind of guy who owned every room he walked into. Nobody was more gorgeous or had that kind of presence,

I stole a quick look.

Dad seemed to be looking for something.

Cole didn’t even sit down.

Didn’t touch the tea on the table.

Just grabbed whatever it was and prepared to leave.

“Iris, honey, what do you think of this bag?”

Mom was trying to distract me.

I turned to help her look.

“It’s really nice, Mom.”

Five minutes later, he walked back out.

Mom stood up, politely trying to keep him.

“Cole, why don’t you stay for dinner?”

Of course, we all knew he wouldn’t stick around.

But nobody could afford to offend the Nash family.

Finally, Cole turned and gave me the first look since he’d arrived.

That look–what was in his eyes?

Cold.

Indifferent. Like he was looking at a complete stranger.

I sat stiffly on the couch, not moving.

In the past, I would’ve jumped up excitedly and grabbed his arm.

Called him all sorts of sweet names.

But now I just sat there quietly, like the person in front of me didn’t matter anymore.

He nodded slightly.

“Thanks, but I’ve got things to handle.”

He started to leave, pulling his gaze away from me.

Two steps later.

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Chapter 2

I suddenly clenched my fists and spoke up.

“Wait.”

He stopped mid–step.

Stiffened for a moment, then turned around.

Mom was already grabbing my arm in panic.

“Iris, what are you–Cole said he’s busy.”

I felt Mom’s fingers digging painfully into my hand.

His eyes darkened a few shades.

“What is it, Miss Kane?”

Fair enough.

I wasn’t calling him by his first name anymore.

And he was calling me “Miss Kane” instead of my actual name–cold and formal.

I took a deep breath.

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