From Ashes of Scandals to His Embrace novel Chapter 446

Laurinda glanced at Adolphus and shook her head.

“No need. Earl is still a friend to me. No matter what’s gone on between him and you, he helped me when Fidelia needed it most, and I’ll always remember that. That’s where it ends, though. I’m not part of whatever happened before. If he stays out of your way, I’ll stay out of his. But if he ever comes after you, I won’t just stand by.”

Laurinda had always kept things simple. If someone helped her, she didn’t forget it, but she didn’t let old favors cloud her judgment. She wasn’t the type to get hung up on what-ifs. If things stayed peaceful, great. If not, she was ready to fight for herself.

York got the message, nodded, and left the hospital room.

Laurinda took Adolphus’s hand, giving his arm a gentle pinch. Her voice was half teasing, half exasperated. “I really hate drama, you know that? Never thought falling for you meant dealing with your family issues, too.”

The big hand in hers twitched. Laurinda’s eyes widened in surprise and she squeezed tighter, her voice shaky. “Can you hear me? Are you awake?”

He didn’t answer, but Laurinda refused to give up. She leaned in close to his ear, her words bubbling with hope. “I know you can hear me. Didn’t you say you wanted to hear me confess? Adolphus, I love you. Did you hear that?”

There was still no response. Laurinda just stayed there, whispering “I love you” again and again, hoping he’d come back to her.

Later that evening, Seraphina showed up with a dress for Laurinda’s dinner. She looked completely worn out.

Laurinda frowned, pulling Seraphina down to the couch. “It’s only been a day. How did you get like this so fast?”

Seraphina slumped against Laurinda’s shoulder and let out a dramatic sigh. “Laurinda, promise me you’ll never be friends with stupid people. Magnolia is driving me crazy. She keeps begging me to talk to Queen for her. I barely have any connection with them myself. There’s no way I can help her. She just won’t listen.”

Laurinda’s interest was piqued. She poured some floral tea for Seraphina and handed it over. “What does she want, exactly?”

“It’s ridiculous. She thinks if I just ask, Queen will listen to me, like I have any pull with them. Maybe my name means something here, but Queen? I’m nothing to them.” Seraphina rolled her eyes. “She’s been saying the same thing since last night. She even followed me to my studio. If I hadn’t spent all day out prepping for your birthday, she probably would have clung to me all day. I’m so over it.”

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