?Chapter 1551:


    The men’s legs nearly gave way. None dared make eye contact.


    “Yes, Miss Jones,” they stammered in unison.


    “Bethel, let’s go home,” Christina said, gently enclosing Bethel’s hand within her own.


    Bethel’s gaze drifted to the injury on her son’s arm, worry and profound disappointment tangled in her expression.


    Every detrimental action Trevor had ever taken reyed in her mind, each memory inflicting a sharper pain.


    “Bethel, he’s not going to die,” Christina reassured her, keeping her voice soft and steady.


    She could never let Bethel witness her son’s death; that was the only reason she had shown restraint.


    Otherwise, that bullet would have passed directly through the center of Trevor’s skull.


    “Alright.” Bethel let out a quiet sigh, then forced a small smile. “Let’s go.”


    A few dayster, Christina arrived at the extravagant masquerade ball hosted by Vickie.


    Wearing an intricate ck-and-white mask, she entered the grand, crowded hall.


    “Why are you sticking so close to me? It’s not like I’m going to run off.” Brendon’s voice drifted clearly across the floor.


    Christina turned toward the sound and easily located him, recognizing his posture and tone even with the mask. He was engaged in a tense conversation with Ynda.


    “I just felt so unsafe all by myself,” Ynda replied, her usually sweet voiceced withint.


    She tucked her chin down like a chastised child.


    “I told you clearly to stick with Katie. You didn’t listen, and now she’s gone,” Brendon said, his tone sharp with poorly concealed annoyance. “We’ll split up and search.”


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    “I was trying to…” Ynda attempted another defense, but he had already turned away, too rushed to hear more.


    A sharp wave of pain surged through Ynda’s chest. She red at his retreating back, tears blurring her vision. The devastating reality settled deep within her: Brendon’s affection had vanished.


    There was a time he had loved her with a desperate, all-consuming passion, willing to humble himselfpletely. How had he be so cold, discarding their past as if it were meaningless?


    It felt as though a cold de were constantly turning in her heart. She despised his sudden cruelty, yet a fragile part of her still longed for him to look back and want her again.


    After wrestling her feelings into some order, she slowly turned to search for Katie.


    Perhaps if she started obeying him more—being the sensible,pliant woman he seemed to want—he might let go of his resentment and love her again.


    Christina gracefully raised her wine ss, a subtle smile ying at the corner of her mouth.


    This, she observed, was the legendary first love: a beautiful illusion, carefully built in memory yet fragile in reality. It was often the pursuit—the unattainable prize—that captivated a man.


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