Jealousy Alpha's Regret novel Chapter 152

“Mr. Grey! Sebastien! Can you wait for me, please?‘ Vanessa called from behind me, her heels clicking rapidly against the floor.

I didn’t slow down. I couldn’t. All I could think about was Iris. What is she doing here alone? Is she meeting someone? Another man? The thought sent another wave of possessiveness through me.

I caught sight of her again, turning into a high–end store. My pace quickened automatically. When I reached the entrance, I paused, taking a moment to compose myself before stepping inside. It was one of those luxury boutiques that sold everything from clothing to accessories.

“Mr. Grey!” Vanessa finally caught up, slightly out of breath. “You walk so fast. What are we looking for here?”

A saleswoman approached us immediately, professional smile in place. “Good afternoon, sir. How may I assist you today?”

1 barely glanced at her, my eyes scanning the store for Iris. There she was, in the men’s section, examining a display of ties and accessories. Men’s items. She’s shopping for a man. Who?

I gestured vaguely behind me without taking my eyes off Iris. “Ask her,” I muttered to the saleswoman, indicating Vanessa.

I moved deeper into the store, positioning myself where I could observe Iris without being immediately noticed. She was focused intently on her task, her brow slightly furrowed in concentration as she examined a display of men’s accessories. I knew that expression well–the same look she got when she was sketching designs late at night, thinking I didn’t notice her working.

After several minutes of deliberation, she selected a small silver tie clip with what appeared to be a mountain design etched into it. She held it up, examining it more closely in the light, turning it over in her slender fingers as if assessing its craftsmanship.

Something twisted painfully in my gut. Recent business news flashed through my mind–rumors about Iris and Ethan Lowell, head of Polaris Studio. They’d been seen together at several industry events, and there was speculation about her working with his company.

Is that who this is for? Lowell? My jaw clenched so hard I could feel a muscle twitching in my cheek. The thought of Iris carefully selecting a gift for another man made my blood run cold.

“Mr. Grey, what do you think of this one?‘ Vanessa’s voice rang out loudly across the store, deliberately pitched to draw attention.

I saw Iris stiffen slightly, her hand pausing over the cufflinks she was examining. She’d heard my name. I watched as her lashes fluttered slightly, her head beginning to turn toward the sound.

Our eyes met across the store.

Time seemed to slow down. Her eyes widened just fractionally–the only indication that she was surprise

d to see me. Then, just as quickly, her expression cooled, her gaze sliding away from mine as if I were a stranger, someone not worth her notice.

That dismissal hit me like a physical blow. After everything between us, after our history, she could look at me like I was nothing?

My attention was drawn to the counter where a sales clerk was now ringing up Iris’s purchase.

‘One men’s silver tie clip, the clerk announced, packaging the small item in an elegant gift box. “That comes to…”

I watched Iris hand over her credit card, her movements graceful and unhurried. She didn’t look in my direction again, didn t acknowledge my presence at all as she completed her purchase.

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7:43 pm

Chapter 152

Five years ago, Iris wouldn’t have spent this much thought on buying me a birthday gift, let alone for some other man. She’d been different then–less confident, more willing to please. The woman I was watching now moved with self–assurance, knew what she wanted and didn’t hesitate to take it.

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