I Stopped Waiting and Started Loving novel Chapter 17

Bonnie offered a self-deprecating smile, pushing off the bench to leave.

"Bonnie."

Parrish suddenly reached out, clamping a vise-like grip around her wrist.

Bonnie yanked her arm, but couldn't break free. She glared at him coldly. "Let go."

Parrish frowned slightly, a flicker of impatience hiding in his gentle eyes.

"Did you go to Davenport today?"

He stared at her, his voice dropping into a stern warning. "Stay away from Seraphina."

Bonnie found the sheer absurdity of it overwhelming. The suppressed fury in her chest instantly erupted.

Smack!

The crisp sound of a slap shattered the silence in the park.

Bonnie had used every ounce of her strength, leaving her own palm tingling.

"You bastard!"

Her eyes were bloodshot as she glared at him, the tears finally spilling over.

Parrish's head snapped to the side from the impact, and the distinct outline of a handprint quickly bloomed on his pale cheek.

He pushed his tongue against the inside of his bruised cheek. Instead of getting angry, he laughed, though the amusement never reached his eyes.

"Bonnie, I thought we at least understood each other. You should be reasonable about this. Do you know the consequences of throwing a tantrum like this?"

Bonnie looked at him as if he were a monster, a wave of nauseating disgust churning in her stomach.

"Should I call you Mr. York, or should I call you Parrish?"

"Why should I unconditionally understand and forgive you after you spent five years lying to my face?"

Parrish tugged at his tie in frustration. "Just because I hid my identity, you're going to throw a fit?"

"Just?"

Bonnie let out a low, hollow laugh, tears sliding down her cheeks.

So, deceiving her, hiding the truth, and entirely erasing five years of her sacrifices was reduced to a dismissive "just" in his eyes.

Parrish's brow furrowed tightly. "I know you're upset. I owe you an explanation for what happened at the hotel."

He paused, his tone darkening. "But you shouldn't have gone after Seraphina. She doesn't know anything, and she can't handle you targeting her like this."

"And if I refuse to pay?"

Bonnie paused, throwing a cold smile over her shoulder. "Then I'll see you in court!"

Parrish's brow knotted into a fierce scowl. "Are you serious?"

"Bonnie, don't do something you'll regret!"

Bonnie didn't look back. She walked briskly, disappearing around the corner of the park in the blink of an eye.

The wind rustled through the branches, casting fragmented shadows across the ground.

Parrish sank onto the bench, his brow still furrowed, unable to shake the heavy frustration sitting in his chest.

He assumed Bonnie was just lashing out in anger.

She loved him so much—how could she possibly sue him over money?

That money was deeply tied to her purest love for him; it was a debt he could never truly repay.

His phone suddenly rang. Seraphina's name flashed on the screen.

He answered, and Seraphina's soft, delicate voice came through. "Parrish, why aren't you at the restaurant yet? Everyone is waiting for you."