Chapter 1758:


    “Bonnie, what do you say we go out today?” she said brightly, slipping her arm through Christina’s. “Just a little walk, get some fresh air.”


    Christina epted the invitation on its surface while quietly noting that it didn’t feel as simple as it sounded. She couldn’t identify the motive yet, but something about the cheerfulness was slightly too deliberate.


    “Where did you have in mind?” she asked, ying along.


    “Anywhere you like. An amusement park, maybe?” La offered, smiling easily.


    Her actual aim was to find a way to bring both Gillian and Adide along. An amusement park was the ideal pretext — entirely natural for a child to be included, no exnation needed. This was, in truth, an errand Alban had asked her to run. She hadn’t quite worked out why he was so intent on getting Adide there, though she had her suspicions. Had he developed feelings for Gillian?


    La wasn’t especially interested in digging into Alban’s motives. Her focus was on Bain. With Bain having lost the wager, her chances of marrying into the Jones family were looking favorable — and keeping that path clear meant maintaining good standing with both the Martels and the Hewitts.


    Christina considered it for a moment, then shook her head. “I’m not really in the mood.”


    “Then what would you like to do? We could go wherever you want,” La pressed, keeping her tone light. She needed Christina to suggest something child-friendly — something she could use as a natural reason to bring Gillian and Adide along without it looking contrived.


    “I feel like skydiving, actually,” Christina said. “Want to go now?”


    The smile on La’s face didn’t disappear so much as calcify. Her lips held their curve through what was clearly some effort.


    Of all the things she could have suggested.


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    Even if children could technically skydive with professional supervision, Gillian would never in a thousand years agree to take Adide up in a harness and jump out of a ne. And as for La herself — even thinking about the height made her stomach drop ufortably.


    La managed a strained smile. “What about something a little more… grounded? Heights really aren’t my thing.”


    “Surfing?” Christina offered, raising an eyebrow.


    La’s smile threatened to slip entirely. “Could we maybe choose something a bit less intense?” She was fairly certain Gillian would never allow Adide anywhere near open water and a board.


    Christina gave a small shrug. “Honestly, I’m not particrly enthusiastic about anything right now. Maybe we should just stay in. Going out takes more energy than it’s worth.”


    “No — please, no.” La’s voice jumped slightly. “Staying home is dreadful. Come on, even a short walk would do. Or shopping. A spa day would be lovely.”


    “Fine,” Christina said, and stood.


    La’s eyes drifted around the room with a casualness that wasn’t quite casual enough.


    “We should probably bring someone along,” she said. “For the bags, at least.”


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