Chapter 96
Audrey’s POV:
The entire cafeteria seemed to freeze as everyone registered Caspar’s presence.
“Oh my God,” Lily whispered, leaning across the table.
“Is that really Mr. Thornton in our cafeteria? I can’t believe it! Three years working here and I’ve never once seen him down here!”
Jessica couldn’t tear her eyes away.
“He’s even more handsome up close,” she murmured appreciatively.
“Those photos in Forbes don’t do him justice.”
“Definitely not,” Maria agreed, subtly adjusting her hair.
“No wonder half the female executives have tried to land a date with him.”
I turned away, shoveling another forkful of salad into my mouth, chewing mechanically while trying to become as small and invisible as
possible.
Jessica noticed my reaction and smirked.
‘Look at you, so calm and collected. Completely incompatible with us”
“Well, Maria chimed in with a mischievous glint in her eyes, “Audrey just told us her ideal man is relaxed and easygoing. Mr. Thornton
clearly doesn’t fit the bill, right?”
She glanced meaningfully in Caspar’s direction.
I nearly choked on a piece of lettuce, mortified at the thought that he might have overheard our entire conversation.
My face burned so hot. I hunched my shoulders, practically burying my face in my bowl as I shoveled in a few more hasty bites.
“I think I’m done,” I mumbled, pushing my half–eaten lunch away and grabbing my purse.
“Got a ton of work waiting for me upstairs. Thanks for the company, ladies.”
Without giving them a chance to respond, I walked briskly toward the exit, taking a path that would give Caspar a wide berth.
The elevator arrived with a soft chime, and I quickly stepped inside, exhaling a breath of relief as the doors began to slide closed.
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Chapter 96
But at the last possible second, a hand shot between the nearly–closed doors, triggering the sensors.
The doors retreated, and there stood Caspar Thornton.
My momentary relief evaporated instantly as he stepped into the small space beside me.
I reluctantly looked up to find his steely gray eyes studying me with an unreadable expression.
We stood in tense silence as the doors closed.
My heart hammered against my ribs so loudly I was certain he could hear it.
“What a coincidence,” I finally said, desperate to break the suffocating silence.
Caspar spoke calmly. “It wasn’t a coincidence, Audrey. I was looking for you.”
I swallowed hard, suddenly finding it difficult to maintain my composure in the confined space.
“Looking for me?” I asked, my voice betraying my nervousness. “Why would you be looking for me?”
Our eyes locked, and I found myself unable to look away from his penetrating gaze.
There was something in his expression I couldn’t quite decipher. The intensity of his stare made my skin tingle.
He said after what felt like an eternity.
‘Were you rejecting me in the morning? Is it because I’m not your type?”
The directness of his question knocked the air from my lungs.
‘Different people like different things, Mr. Thornton,” I finally managed, attempting to sound casual despite my racing heart.
“Some people prefer carrots, others prefer cabbage. It’s just… personal preference.”
Caspar’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And how exactly do you know which category I fall into, Ms. Lane?”
I lifted my chin, summoning whatever courage I could find.
“All I know is that you’re not my type, Mr. Thornton.”
I forced the words out despite the strange twisting in my chest as I said them. “That’s all I meant.”
His jaw tightened visibly, a muscle twitching along his cheek. “You’re lying.”
ร
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Chapter 96
…
The elevator chimed mercifully as it reached my floor.
I stepped backward as the doors opened, eager to escape the suffocating tension.
“I need to get back to work,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I backed out of the elevator.
The last thing I saw before the doors closed was the flash of genuine anger in his eyes.
By the time I returned to my apartment that evening, I was exhausted down to my bones.
I hadn’t seen Caspar again for the rest of the day.
I kicked off my heels at the door and dragged myself to the bedroom without even bothering to turn on the lights.
My body felt heavy, my mind even heavier.
Despite my exhaustion, sleep refused to come.
I tossed and turned, replaying the day’s events in my mind. Hours passed as I stared at the ceiling, willing my brain to quiet.
When sleep finally claimed me, it offered no peace.
In my dream, I was floating down a flower–lined aisle in a pristine white wedding gown that billowed around me like clouds.
Soft music played as guests with blurred faces turned to watch.
Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting rainbow patterns across the church floor.
Everything seemed perfect–too perfect.
As I approached the altar, the priest’s face began to shift and distort.
His kindly features melted away, revealing hollow eye sockets and ashen skin. A hellish messenger in religious garb.
The church darkened as the stained glass windows transformed into scenes of torment and despair.
I tried to push away the man beside me, but he held my hand firmly in his. I shoved against his chest, but he remained steadfast, his grip unwavering as he held onto me.
“Till death do us part,” the demonic officiant rasped, but the words twisted into “Not even death shall part you.”
RIA
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Chapter 96
The floor beneath us cracked open, revealing a fiery chasm.
:
180
I screamed as we began to fall, the man’s grip never loosening even as we plummeted into the abyss together, my white dress turning to
ash around me.
The shrill ring of my phone cut through the nightmare, yanking me violently back to consciousness.
I bolted upright, gasping for air, my heart hammering against my ribs. Sweat had plastered my hair to my forehead, and my sheets were
twisted around my legs like restraints.
The phone continued its merciless ringing as I fumbled on the nightstand, my fingers closing around my phone.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
