Seven Years a Fool One Day a Queen (Kristine and Colton) novel Chapter 171

Chapter 171

Almost in the very next second, the room rang with a sharp slap.

Eliza shoved herself off the man, movements far from gentle.

n the struggle, she seemed to have kicked him right where it hurt most.

Calvin let out a muffled groan, curling up in pain, face twisted.

Even so, Eliza felt no guilt.

Who asked him to play the rogue first?

That sober you up? Open your eyes and look properly at who I am!”

he yanked out a tissue, scrubbing at her lips with disgust.

Ier voice dripped with contempt. “Can’t even tell your own woman apart? Makes me doubt whether you really love Medea.”

‘onight she’d worn a dress identical to Medea’s.

le must have been drunk and mistaken her for Medea, dragging her onto the sofa and kissing her like that.

le’d never lost control like this before, unless it was with Medea.

he more she thought about it, the more revolted she felt. Furious, she aimed a swift kick at him where he was just sitting up on the sofa.

You. Get Out. Right now!

[ you don’t, I’ll call the police and report you for harassment!”

Maybe he feared a scene, maybe he feared exposure. He didn’t argue.

le took the two kicks without complaint.

in his way out, he muttered an apology–whether out of guilt or to cover his tracks, she couldn’t tell.

Jiza thought it was the latter.

le was probably just afraid she’d make a fuss and let Medea get the wrong idea.

ifter all, women weren’t easy to placate.

ity she’d never once seen Calvin try to placate anyone.

Once she’d composed herself, she left the lounge.

n her rush, she didn’t notice Xander watching from a distance.

He had come looking for Calvin on Medea’s behalf.

He’d waited all night for a chance to speak with her alone.

When he finally did, she realized Calvin had been gone far too long.

Calls went unanswered, and worry set in.

Xander, unable to bear her anxiety, offered to help.

10:21

Soven Voare a Fool

One Day & Queen

Chapter 171

Circling the venue, he spotted Calvin leaving a room in haste, only catching his retreating back.

He called Medea at once to reassure her.

Before she could answer, she saw Calvin reappear in the hall.

Relief filled her face. “Calv, here.”

And just like that, Xander hung up. She had no eyes for him.

He stepped back, quietly erasing himself from the picture.

But then he saw Eliza emerge from the very same room Calvin had just left.

His face iced over. Brows drew sharp and tight, eyes cutting like blades.

Moments later, a contemptuous sneer.

Of course.

Nothing respectable about her.

Daring to seduce someone else’s fiancé openly.

And she’d had the nerve to mock him?

He truly couldn’t stomach her.

Still, he would need to warn his senior.

She deserved to know what sort of scheming woman Eliza was.

When Calvin returned, there was a clear red mark on his face.

Medea’s worry flared. “What happened?”

He said he’d had too much to drink and bumped into a wall.

fer heart ached. “Then don’t drink for me anymore. I can handle a little.”

It’s nothing.”

Eliza, passing by, overheard. She couldn’t help a quiet laugh.

Instantly, Calvin’s gaze cut to her–cold, distant.

So different from the man in the lounge earlier.

What did that mean?

A warning?

But when she looked again, he’d already turned away, speaking to Medea with a tenderness in his voice that didn’t quite match his detached tone.

“You’ve been standing in heels too long. Let’s find a place to sit.”

“Alright.”

They left arm in arm, inseparable.

Chapter 171

Eliza glanced down at her own heels, and a wry smile curved her lips.

she remembered once ranting to Belle: high heels were a medieval torture device.

When she entered the workplace, she’d had no choice but to wear them, pretending to be the adult woman she wasn’t.

or the first year, her feet never healed–her medicine box filled with plasters and pain patches.

wists, blisters, raw skin–all routine.

Once she even fractured a toe, though she hadn’t realized at the time.

he’d thought it was just the shoes being ill–fitted, and endured an entire day, accompanying Calvin on project inspections.

nly when the pain became unbearable did she go to the hospital, where the X–ray showed the break.

he doctor scolded her carelessness.

elle scolded her for neglecting herself and Calvin for not cherishing her.

he’d wanted to confront him, but Eliza stopped her.

e’d been stretched thin with two major projects, flying constantly. She couldn’t bring herself to add to his burdens.

> he never knew.

Lst as he never knew she’d once drunk so hard at social events her stomach bled.

I that relationship, she had only given, never asked.

ecause she believed love was about giving willingly.

nd she was right.

ove is about giving willingly.

‘s just that the one Calvin gave to–was Medea.

he last illusion everyone clings to is the hope of being loved.

et it go–and you’re free.

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