Love After Leaving: No Regret (Agnes and Raymond) novel Chapter 65

Chapter 65 Drawn Lines

+5 Pearls

“If anyone keeps string up trouble behind people’s backs, spreading rumors like it’s entertainment…” Raymond said, his voice low and measured, “I don’t care who you are. Classmate or not. I’ll personally make sure you never speak another word.”

The threat landed heavier than a shout. Gabrielle’s face drained of color. Her legs trembled beneath her as she instinctively looked toward Hillary, grasping for help.

Raymond turned his gaze to the woman leaning against him. “Hillary, if you damage something that belongs to someone else, you compensate them. That’s how it works. Isn’t it?”

Hillary felt a flicker of surprise. She remembered well enough how Raymond had never tolerated her circle of friends back in college.

But she hadn’t expected him to dismiss her so openly when she was only trying to help Gabrielle.

“But…”

“No buts. Whatever my wife decides stands.”

Hillary’s expression curdled. She stood frozen, the words “my wife” echoing in her skull like a bell rung too close to the ear.

The women who had been whispering moments before fell silent. A few stole sympathetic glances at Hillary.

Before this crowd of former classmates, Raymond had not only refused to defend her, but he had publicly rebuked Gabrielle on Agnes’s behalf.

“If your heart’s acting up,” he continued, his tone softening slightly, “I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Hillary pushed her fury down. At least he still cared. At least when she said she was unwell, he put everything aside to be with her.

As they passed Agnes, a soft voice followed them.

“Hillary,” Agnes said sweetly, “I’ll send you the account details later. Don’t forget to transfer Gabrielle, okay?”

the money with

Hillary’s face flushed a deep, ugly red. Her teeth sank into her lower lip as she shot Agnes a venomous look, then turned to Raymond again, her expression collapsing into something pitiful and small.

She performed fragility like an instrument she had mastered, and yet Raymond said nothing.

Hillary felt something cold slide between her ribs, a blade of ice that went all the way to the bone.

The gathering at St. Austen University ended in a messy, uneasy sprawl of departures.

Neal lingered. His eyes followed Agnes the entire time. If Raymond had pushed her any further just now, he would have stepped in.

Chapter 65 Drawn Lines

+5 Pearls

He would always step in. Whenever she needed someone to catch her, he would be there. He had been carrying that promise in his chest since the first time he saw her on the St. Austen campus.

She had been wearing a simple white dress that day. But of her, it traced the elegant lines of her figure like a brushstroke following the curve of a river.

Dark hair slipped over her shoulders. Her features were delicate, her skin fair with a flush of warmth beneath it.

When she smiled, it was like sunlight breaking through clouds, something that lodged itself sweetly behind his ribs and refused to leave.

That first meeting, with the sunlit pathways and careless laughter, had stayed with him far longer than it should have.

He had encountered her again and again. And each time, before he could find the words, she slipped away. Until one day he heard she had become someone else’s bride.

Neal had drawn the line for himself then. Some things, no matter how much you wanted them, were not yours to reach for. So he had buried it. That shy, half–formed feeling.

And besides, he had seen the way she looked at Raymond. There was no space in that gaze for anyone else. Then Hillary Young came back. And the rumors began swirling again, stories of an old history and rekindled flames. The small fire Neal had smothered long ago stirred back to life in his chest.

What he couldn’t understand was Agnes. Why stay? Why endure all this? Was it love?

After Raymond and Hillary left, Agnes composed herself and prepared to leave.

At the door, she paused, turning back to the cluster of women still watching her with undisguised hostility. Gabrielle stood at their center, arms crossed, jaw tight. Agnes offered them a bright, unhurried wave.

“It was lovely meeting all of you. Truly. You’ve given me a wonderful glimpse into the deep bonds of St Austen sisterhood.

“If any of you feel inclined to help Gabrielle with her little predicament, I’m sure she’d appreciate it.

“After all, a hundred million is nothing to people of your standing.

“Ta–ta, everyone.“.

She turned on her heel and walked out, leaving their glares burning against her back.

Alone, she made her way toward the elevator. Just before the doors closed, a figure slipped through the gap.

“Ms. Sinclair,” Neal said, “it’s late. It’s not exactly safe out there. Let me drive you home.”

Agnes glanced at her phone. The time had slipped further than she’d realized. “That’s kind of you. I can always call a ride, though. I don’t want to trouble you.”

Neal smiled faintly. “It’s no trouble. I’m headed that way anyway.”

12:10 am P p pp

Chapter 65–Drawn Linco

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