Chapter 12
84
Bianca’s POV
German cuisine mostly consists of
sausages and bread, with even the beef roasted to perfection, fragrant and
delicious. Not exactly a setting for
romance, but that didn’t stop the man across from me from pouring wine like he had something heavy on his mind.
Before he could speak, I went ahead and asked, “Those photos of Tristan’s affair all over the internet–was that your doing?”
Russell didn’t nod, didn’t shake his
head.
“I just can’t stomach people who act rotten but go around trying to look good,” he said after a pause, glancing at me carefully. “Hope you‘ re not mad?”
I shrugged, giving him a soft smile. “Mad? No reason for that. Besides, I’ve got
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Chapter 12
nothing to do with Tristan anymore. And as for the scandal–he dug that hole himself, didn’t he?”
Russell‘ s expression shifted like he had something on the tip of his tongue.
“Maisie, the truth is, I…‘
Before he could finish, I stepped in, keeping things simple.
“Russell, you‘ re a good boss and a great friend,” I told him gently. “But I’ve already been through a marriage that took everything I had for five long years. I just don‘ t have the heart left to start up with anyone again.”
Marriage itself felt like a chain, and it took all my strength to break free. So why would
I
go back into that same ocean of pain?
Russell’s face showed a glimmer of disappointment, but he nodded in understanding. “Well, there’s more than one way for folks to be close. You‘ ve got something special about you–so if not as a
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Chapter 12
couple, then let’s be the best partners and friends we can be.”
1 lifted my glass to him. “To friendship, then.”
Russell sighed and smiled. “To friendship.
I didn’t know exactly when Tristan. returned to the country, but his affair was the talk of the town soon enough. Thompson Group stocks took a nosedive, his name went from spotless to scorned.
Sabrina? Well, by the time they got her to the hospital, she‘ d already lost the child. Infection set in, and she had to have surgery, leaving her unable to bear children. Her face was scarred, too, from the beating she took that night.
At first, she was furious, swearing to take Tristan down, and threatening to have him locked up. But money has a way of quieting things down, and eventually, they came to an arrangement. Still, they parted with
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nothing but bitterness toward each other.
As for me, I was already onto new things, diving into work. Every piece of jewelry I made held a bit of my spirit, my hard work, my pride.
I think I finally found my worth out here on this path, chasing what I love.
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