Chapter 52: Chapter 46: Jealousy

“Wow, he’s so handsome!” Annabelle Leighton exclaimed when she saw Shane Sterling. She shot Isla Prescott a conspiratorial look. “Isabelle, don’t you think he looks like a nobleman on a hunt from some period drama when he’s on horseback?”

Isla Prescott just smiled without saying a word.

“Honestly, Shane Sterling is incredible. He picks up everything so quickly. Not only is he a great rider, but surfing, rock climbing, and shooting are all second nature to him. Oh, right, he can also fly a plane.”

“Fly a plane?”

“Yup. Impressive, right?”

Before Isla Prescott could even process it, Shane Sterling’s horse had already stopped in front of them. He pulled the reins tight, his gaze landing on Annabelle Leighton.

“Heading back?”

Annabelle Leighton pointed to herself. “Are you asking me?”

“Can’t I ask you?”

Annabelle Leighton glanced at Isla Prescott, then nodded hesitantly. “We are. Why?”

“Perfect. You can head back first.” Shane Sterling dismounted. “I’d like to speak with Isla Prescott alone.”

Annabelle Leighton: “…”

’Is this guy nuts? So he went to all this trouble just to get rid of me?’

’And to think I was just singing his praises to Isla Prescott.’

Annabelle Leighton shot him a look that was practically a string of curses, but she knew this wasn’t the time to be a third wheel. She tactfully took her leave.

The moment Isla Prescott saw Shane Sterling, the image of that woman intimately pinching his cheek flashed in her mind. ’I really don’t think we have anything to talk about.’ She turned to leave as well, but Shane Sterling grabbed her by the wrist.

“Even a death row inmate gets a chance to make a final confession, right?” He pulled her in front of him, his fingers tilting her chin up so she couldn’t avoid his gaze. “Miss Prescott, at least tell me, what exactly are you angry with me about?”

“I’m not angry, and I’m certainly not angry with you.” Isla Prescott brushed Shane Sterling’s hand away and put some distance between them. “Young Mr. Shaw, don’t flatter yourself.”

After saying her piece, she tried to leave again.

Shane Sterling quickly pulled her back. “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk. I’ll reflect on it myself. Last month, there was a problem with the project in Zafaria, so I had to fly there on short notice and didn’t get a chance to tell you. After my trip to Zafaria, I flew to Leonia and then Kor…”

“We aren’t in a relationship that requires us to report our itineraries to each other,” Isla Prescott interrupted him. “You don’t have to tell me all this.”

“Right. I was afraid you’d think that, which is why I didn’t message you afterward.”

“Then why are you telling me now?”

“I just wanted to let you know that the reason I haven’t come to see you for the past month is that I’ve been traveling abroad for work. I just landed this morning and was called over by my aunt to help her check out a horse. I was originally planning to come find you as soon as I was done here at the stables.”

“Aunt?” She zeroed in on the key piece of information.

“Yes, the woman you saw earlier is my aunt.” Shane Sterling smiled at Isla Prescott, his gaze sincere as he sought her verdict. “Getting my cheek pinched by an elder doesn’t count as being unfaithful, does it, Miss Prescott?”

After his aunt had given him a pointer, Shane Sterling had replayed the events in his mind for a long time. Between that moment and receiving Isla Prescott’s cold shoulder, the only thing that could have possibly upset her was his aunt pinching his cheek.

’She was jealous.’

At this realization, Shane Sterling’s heart began to pound.

It was as if he had finally seen flowers bloom after trekking across a thousand mountains and rivers. The joy of having his wish granted was indescribable.

He had held back for a long time, restraining himself from charging into the equestrian coach’s office. Instead, he waited until she had finished her business and came out to get her answer.

Isla Prescott never imagined that the scene that had stirred her heart so much would turn out to be such an absurd misunderstanding.

Worse, the misunderstanding seemed to have also exposed her true feelings.

She started to panic a little.

It was like deciding to lock your feelings away in a drawer, only to accidentally drop the key right at his feet.

And knowing Shane Sterling’s style, if he picked up that key, he would barge right in.

Sure enough, the next second, Shane Sterling leaned closer to her, his voice a soft, alluring whisper. “Isla Prescott, I want to be able to officially report to you when I’m on a business trip. Can you give me the title of boyfriend?”

He looked directly into her eyes.

But Isla Prescott didn’t dare to meet his gaze. She quietly took a step back. “Sean, you might be misunderstanding something. I… I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Are you telling me you’re not attracted to me at all?”

“I am. But being attracted to a good-looking member of the opposite sex is one of the most natural, instinctual human reactions. Attraction and love are two different things.”

A hint of coldness crept into Shane Sterling’s eyes. “What’s the difference? I’m listening.”

Isla Prescott mulled it over for a moment before speaking cautiously. “Attraction is walking past a flower shop and thinking the roses are beautiful. Love is running out in the rain to buy one of those roses.”

“In other words, I’m not worth you running out into the rain for, is that it?”

—

Annabelle Leighton hadn’t actually left; she was waiting for Isla Prescott in the car.

As soon as Isla Prescott got in the car, Annabelle leaned over. “Did Shane Sterling confess his feelings to you?”

Isla Prescott was startled. “How did you know?”

“I could see it in his eyes.” Annabelle said, a little smugly. “They say that when someone is about to genuinely confess their feelings, their eyes reflect 7% more light than usual.”

The way Shane Sterling had looked at Isla Prescott earlier was like he was holding a galaxy in his hands, terrified of spilling it. It was so obvious.

Isla Prescott hadn’t heard of this 7% theory, nor had she looked closely at Shane Sterling’s eyes.

“So, did you accept his confession?” Annabelle Leighton asked again.

Isla Prescott shook her head.

“Why not? Don’t you like him?”

“We’re… not from the same world.”

“Why are you starting to sound like Morgan Hayes? I hate hearing that. Don’t we all live on the same planet, bask under the same sun, and gaze at the same moon? We all eat food to survive and go through the cycle of life and death. How are you not from the same world?”

Isla Prescott lowered her head. “My work is my priority right now. I really don’t have the time or energy to be in a relationship.”

Every day, she had dance classes, social media research, content to film, and dance practice. She wished she could break every minute into pieces just to get everything done. She couldn’t even guarantee she’d get enough sleep, so how could she possibly have time for a relationship?

Besides, it would be a romance that was doomed from the start.

“Does a relationship have to have a certain outcome? Isn’t the journey more important than the destination?” Annabelle Leighton didn’t understand. “Isabelle, I think the most wonderful parts of love are those heart-pounding moments. It’s like how we know flowers will eventually wither, but we’re still moved when they bloom. Isn’t life just about taking a script that ends in death and acting out your part to the fullest? Why are you so worried about the past and future?”

Isla Prescott didn’t know how to explain.

Rich kids like Annabelle Leighton and Shane Sterling would never understand how precious time was to someone from her kind of family. Instead of trading time for fleeting romance, she would rather trade it for money.

In the end, Shane Sterling would surely be just like Silas Lockwood and choose a marriage between social equals. Since that was the case, why should she gamble on a slim, unknown chance with a heartbreak she already knew was coming?

She had been through it once before. She knew she couldn’t afford to play this game, so she refused to even join.

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