Chapter 53:

🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙

“Rankings? They mean nothing to me. I’d rather put my faith in my own abilities.” Allison sidestepped Kellan’s question entirely, using her words to lightly jab at Melany while wearing a casual, almost playful smile. “I’m just here for the spectacle, a little fun on the side.”

Kellan let out a chuckle, clearly entertained by her deflection.

Their unspoken understanding was palpable. Allison was deliberately downplaying her true potential, and it didn’t go unnoticed.

Intrigued, Kellan smiled and said, “Well, in that case, I wish you the best of luck, Ms. Clarke.”

It only took a moment for Kellan to read the situation. The contest was a trivial affair for Allison. His tone carried a hint of shared knowledge, as if they both were in on the same secret.

This silent connection between them felt like a thorn digging deeper into Colton’s side.

The thought that the woman who had once stood beside him now shared an unspoken rapport with another man gnawed at him. It rattled him more than he wanted to admit.

Even though they were divorced, the fact that Allison had once been his only added salt to the wound.

“Colton, we should get going,” Melany urged, clinging tighter to his arm. “We don’t want to be late for the waiting area.”

Sensing his sour mood, she squeezed his arm even more possessively, hoping to flaunt their relationship in front of Allison.

Your story source galnovℯ𝓵𝓼․cøm

But Allison had already turned on her heel, walking away without so much as a glance in their direction.

As the staff arrived to escort Kellan to the SVIP lounge, Allison followed behind.

Rebecca, sharp-eyed as ever, narrowed her gaze and raised an eyebrow in curiosity. “When did you get chummy with Kellan?” she teased, her voice playful as she reached over to pinch Allison’s cheek. “He even wished you good luck! Oh, how sweet! Best of luck!”

Allison coolly caught Rebecca’s wrist.

“Rebecca, don’t overthink it. He’s just someone I know. Relax. You’re still my favorite.”

Rebecca’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she puffed up with mock pride. “Well, obviously! I’m the real deal around here!”

Their playful banter would’ve been amusing to anyone, but to Colton, it was a trigger. He couldn’t swallow the growing knot of jealousy and anger any longer.

The moment Kellan disappeared from view, the anger boiling inside Colton finally erupted. Even with Melany hanging onto his arm, he spun around, his eyes blazing with accusation.

“So, it’s obvious you and Kellan have crossed paths before. How long have you been cozying up to him? Why does he keep stepping up for you?”

His grip on Melany’s hand tightened, though his focus remained locked on Allison. “No wonder you’ve been acting so full of yourself lately. You’ve already found someone to replace me, haven’t you?”

The sound of Colton’s voice grated on Allison’s nerves, triggering a headache she could feel coming. She shot him a look so cold that it could freeze the air between them. “There’s nothing between Kellan and me! But as for you and Melany? Everyone knows the two of you were never really apart. Frankly, I’m disgusted by the whole thing! And for the record, we’re divorced. You have no right to tell me what I can or can’t do!”

Her words sliced through the air with icy detachment, and her complete disinterest in anything concerning Colton was written all over her face. It didn’t take long for others nearby to start whispering about the unfolding scene.

Rebecca, never one to hold back, chimed in with a grin, “Exactly! You’re nothing more than a stain on Allison’s life. Can you quit lurking around like a bad smell? You’re not fooling anyone with that sad, abandoned act.” She rolled her eyes dramatically, tossing his own words back at him. “So stop playing these games to get Allison’s attention. This charade ends now!”

As if to drive her point home, Rebecca covered her nose theatrically. “Allison, we should go! I feel like I’m starting to stink just standing near this trash.”

Colton was left speechless, unable to come up with a retort.

All he could do was watch as the two women walked away, leaving him standing there with a heavy ache pressing against his chest, making it hard to breathe.

His grip on Melany’s hand tightened even further, causing her to wince, though she dared not complain. The jealousy bubbling inside her toward Allison was a fire she couldn’t contain. How could Allison still manage to draw his attention?

“Don’t worry, Colton,” Melany cooed, attempting to soothe him. “Let’s focus on what matters. I’ll do everything I can to make it into the top ten.”

Her words were steady with determination as she squeezed his hand in reassurance.

“Once we secure that partnership with the Everett Group, there’s nothing that will stand in our way!”

.

.

.