The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 385

"Alright, drive safe," Chester said smoothly, stepping out of the car.

Suzie rolled down the passenger window and casually tossed the gift box he had left on the console straight into his chest. "I don't accept gifts for no reason. Give it to some other girl."

Chester caught it easily, leaning against the window frame with a frown. "You aren't even going to open it?"

"No thanks. Goodbye." She gave him a pointed look, signaling him to move his head, and hit the button to roll the window up.

Her car sped out of the parking garage, arriving at the Marquis Residences fifteen minutes later.

After heading upstairs and spending some quality time with her babies, Suzie went into her bedroom and called Stella.

"Hey, are you in the city, or traveling?"

"I'm stuck at the office working late," Stella groaned over the line. "Why? Miss me?"

Suzie laughed softly. "Always. You're a machine, you know that? Still working at this hour?" She glanced at the clock. "Stay put. I'll bring you some late-night takeout."

"No, no, you sound like you finally have a free evening. Spend it with the kids," Stella chuckled.

Since Stella refused, Suzie didn't push it. They were past the point of polite pleasantries. If Stella were actually hungry, she would have demanded food outright.

Getting straight to the point, Suzie asked, "I'm going to a gala tomorrow night. Are you free? Want to come with me?"

Stella's voice spiked an octave. "Wait, what? Are you having a mid-life crisis? You hate those kinds of events!"

"Sounds good."

After a few more brief exchanges, they ended the call.

Thinking of Oliver, Suzie's mind drifted back to how angry he had been at the funeral. Perhaps her unspoken rejection had deeply wounded him.

She let out a heavy sigh. Then her thoughts turned to Alice Quinn, whom she had seen earlier that day.

Suddenly, she felt a wave of exhaustion. Maintaining long-term relationships required so much more than just a foundation of care. It required conditions, timing, and constant effort.

She couldn't shake the creeping feeling that her friends were slowly drifting away from her. Lost in her thoughts, a heavy sadness settled over her.