The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 297

Mina was absolutely certain that Miles was just using her to make Lauren jealous.

Once Lauren arrived, there was no way Miles would keep defending Claire.

Ten minutes later, Lauren rushed into the boutique.

"Lauren, you're finally here." Mina practically threw herself at her, sobbing. "This cheap knockoff, Claire, tried on the custom gown I made for you without permission, and Miles is taking her side!"

"Miles, if you cut ties with Claire right now, Lauren might just forgive you."

"Mina," Lauren stepped forward, cutting her off.

"I never asked you to make me a wedding dress, and I certainly have no intention of marrying Miles."

She looked at Claire, her expression completely open.

"You've misunderstood. I'm not his unattainable ideal. The feelings between us have only ever been one-sided on my part. We are nothing more than friends."

A dead silence fell over the boutique.

Mina's face froze, all the color draining from it. "Lauren, you..."

"It was all just rumors. I was selfish, so I never bothered to clear them up."

With one sentence, Lauren shattered Mina's entire delusion. She stumbled backward, bumping into the corner of a sofa and collapsing ungracefully onto the floor.

Lauren ignored her, turning her attention to Claire. "Do you have a moment to talk privately?"

Before Claire could speak, Miles stepped in front of her, his hand resting protectively on her shoulder.

"I'm fine," she smiled, gently pulling his hand down.

Miles's jaw tightened slightly. The way he looked at Lauren now held a distinct guardedness, veiled beneath a layer of polite restraint.

"Don't go too far. Stay near the door. Call for me immediately if anything happens."

Claire's heart trembled. Her fingers curled inward involuntarily, her throat so dry she couldn't utter a single syllable.

"I stayed by his side for all these years, waiting until everyone assumed we'd end up together. But the truth is, I never even managed to get a foot in the door of his heart."

Lauren's voice was remarkably calm.

"Claire, he loves you far more than you realize. I'm telling you all this because I hope you can love him a little more, or at least pay more attention to him. Especially..."

Lauren paused. "...his emotional state."

Back inside the boutique.

Miles leaned against the edge of the sofa, his dark gaze locked on the two women outside the glass window. They were too far away for him to read their lips.

When they were abroad, Lauren knew about his depression. She wouldn't tell Claire, would she?

Nearby, Mina was still oblivious to the danger she was in. "Miles, I got things mixed up this time, but you have no right to shut down my store!"