Chapter 671
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“Ellie, you don’t understand! Mark said he likes me! The more Lacey thought about what Mark had told her, the more nervous she became.
Lacey continued, “We agreed we’d divorce after a year, and he even promised to treat me to a big dinner! But it’s only been a few months, and now he’s saying stuff like this!”
“Lacey, Mark already confessed his feelings to you. What do you want?” Ellie interrupted.
Lacey’s teary eyes looked lost as she stared at Ellie. “I don’t know. I just feel nervous and scared. I’ve always seen Mark as an older brother, but now… I don’t know…”
Ellie watched Lacey closely and understood. Mark’s sudden confession, coupled with the rumors about her and Sebastian. had scared Lacey. She didn’t want to face Mark’s reaction.
Ellie didn’t know how Lacey truly felt about Mark, but one thing was clear: Lacey cared about him more than she realized.
“Lacey, no matter what, staying overnight with another man while married is wrong. Now that it’s happened, running away won’t solve anything. You have to go home and explain everything to Mark properly,” Ellie said patiently.
“Layton said it’s my fault and that Mark should ‘drain the water from my brain,” Lacey muttered.
“Come on, I’ll take you home. Hiding here isn’t going to help,” Ellie said.
Half an hour later, Ellie finally got Lacey home.
“Lacey,” standing at the front door, Lacey tugged on Ellie’s hand, trying to stop her from leaving.
“Lacey, this is between you two. Outsiders can’t interfere. You know Mark’s temper–he’s always doted on you. As long as you talk to him, it’ll be fine,” Ellie reassured her, gently pushing Lacey inside.
A few minutes later, Lacey reluctantly stepped into the living room.
“Mark?” she called softly when she saw him approaching.
“Have you eaten?” Mark asked, taking the bag from her shoulder. Seeing her tear–streaked face, he didn’t ask anything else.
Lacey stood by the shoe cabinet like a guilty student, not daring to lift her head.
Mark noticed and, after hanging her bag, walked toward the kitchen. “Go take a shower. I’ll make you something to eat.”
In the kitchen, he saw Lacey trailing behind him.
“Whatever you want to say, save it for after you shower,” Mark said, gently brushing her nose with his slender finger before nudging her out of the kitchen.
Lacey awkwardly smiled and obediently went upstairs to shower. She wasn’t sure when it started, but she had completely lost her confidence in front of Mark.
In the past, she’d been bold and carefree, saying and doing whatever she wanted without hesitation. She’d rarely cried either.
But now, in front of Mark, she didn’t know what to say anymore. She constantly felt guilty and was always apologizing. And, to her dismay, she cried much more easily than before.
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Chapter 671
At the entrance of the Thompson residence, Ellie received a text from Lacey confirming she was home safely. Relieved, she drove back to her apartment building.
It was already late when Ellie parked outside the complex and opened her trunk to grab the gifts Alex had brought back. She counted–there were over ten shopping bags.
Thinking of Alex traveling abroad for a major project but still remembering to bring gifts for her and the kids, Ellie’s expression softened.
She stepped out of the elevator and placed the bags down to unlock her door.
Next door, Alex stepped out.
The moment Ellie saw him, memories of his antics at the restaurant earlier flashed in her mind. Her expression immediately darkened.
