The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1654

“Think it over. I won’t pressure you.” Andrew pulled back his hand, his voice more serious than she’d ever heard before. “I’ll wait for you.”

Before Shirley could respond, Andrew’s voice faded into silence—he was gone.

She barely noticed her grandma stepping up behind her, gentle fingers pressing down on her shoulder for comfort.

“I can tell Andrew genuinely cares about you,” Geneva said, her tone full of meaning as she watched Shirley’s face. “It’s just…”

“Grandma.” Shirley squeezed her grandma’s hand, forcing a smile that barely reached her eyes. “Let’s talk about something happier. I might win that scholarship. And when I do, Apex will send me the acceptance letter, and I’ll finally get to go…”

“Are you really happy?” Geneva interrupted softly. She could see straight through her granddaughter’s act. “You don’t have to hide how you’re feeling with me.”

At those words, Shirley’s forced smile crumbled. Her eyes stung, turning red as she fought the tears.

She’d already said the cruelest words she could think of, but Andrew still liked her. Today, he’d risked everything—his own safety—just to save her. Her heart wasn’t made of stone. She could see how much he cared. She just… didn’t know what to do about it.

She really didn’t know.

…

After leaving Shirley, Andrew pulled out his phone and dialed Charlotte.

“Charlotte.”

Right as they hung up, Anthony walked in with a plate of fresh fruit. He’d clearly overheard that last bit about having skin thicker than his.

Charlotte glanced at him and coughed awkwardly, trying to play it off. After all, she’d just used him as the prime example of shameless persistence. It wouldn’t be right if she didn’t feel a little guilty about it.

“All done talking?” Anthony sat beside her, offering a slice of apple with a crooked smile. “Charlotte, watch the ‘prenatal education.’”

Charlotte shot him a look, her eyes narrowing with mock seriousness. “What, you think I said something wrong? Go ahead, enlighten me!”

Anthony just grinned wider as he met her gaze, then trailed his hand over her belly and pulled her close. His voice dropped, warm and teasing. “Honestly, if winning over my wife just means never giving up, I’d say being shameless is a skill worth having.”