Chapter 179
Blake’s POV
With two crisp sounds, Audrey directly removed those elegant pink heels from her feet.
Ignoring my astonished expression, she walked to the taxi and lightly tapped on the driver’s window. “Could I have that strap from the back of your car?”
The driver, still holding my money, nodded. “Of course.”
“Thanks,” she said simply.
She opened the back door and pulled out a spare strap, then efficiently tied her heels together. When she turned, her eyes met mine with unmistakable challenge.
“Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Parker,” she said coolly. “I’d hate to ruin these shoes.”
She brushed past me and stepped onto the asphalt, her bare feet making light contact with the warm road as she headed toward Twilight Mansion.
Suddenly, a strange feeling washed over me.
How had I never noticed this stubborn side of her before?
She looked almost… cute in her obstinacy.
“Sir.” The taxi driver rolled down his window. “It’s after five now. Are you really letting that lady walk barefoot all the way to Twilight Mansion?”
I kept watching Audrey’s determined stride.
“By the time she gets there, it’ll probably be tomorrow morning,” he continued. “And those feet? They’ll be covered in
blisters…”
I turned sharply. “Who gave you permission to look at her feet?”
The driver heard the jealousy in my voice and smiled. “Sir, look at her walking barefoot on the road. Even if I didn’t want to see, I couldn’t help it. And I’m not the only one who’ll notice – everyone passing by will.”
He gave me a knowing look. “If you don’t want people staring at her feet, maybe don’t let her walk barefoot. Nothing draws attention like a barefoot woman on the road.”
“Did I ask for your advice?” I said coldly.
“You’re still here?” I added when he didn’t move.
“Sir, think about it,” he replied. “If I leave and you don’t go after her… she’ll be completely alone.”
He glanced at the sky. “It’s almost evening. This area is remote with few people around. Once it gets dark, there won’t be many cars passing…”
1/2
Chapter 179
“I get it,” I cut him off.
I gave him one last cold look before getting into my car and heading after Audrey.
Audrey’s POV
Walking barefoot on the sun–warmed road felt refreshing. The late afternoon breeze brushed against my face as I made steady progress. I realized I hadn’t had time to myself like this in ages.
Blake Parker thought I couldn’t walk nearly twelve miles to Twilight Mansion. He really underestimated me.
Before returning to New York, I’d lived in that remote small town where home was miles from school and stores. My foster parents refused to pay for the school bus, so I walked those distances daily, through every season. The winters there were brutal – I’d trudged through knee–deep snow countless times.
Even in high school, I worked three jobs to pay for tuition, often walking directly from one job to the next with barely any rest. My daily walking distance far exceeded twelve miles.
Compared to those difficult years, walking twelve miles on smooth pavement felt almost trivial. I’d once worn thin secondhand shoes through ice and snow; walking barefoot on warm asphalt felt almost liberating.
I heard a car engine behind me, then slowing to match my pace. Without turning, I knew Blake Parker had caught up.
He lowered his window and silently followed alongside me, his luxury sedan creeping at my walking speed. I quickened my pace, refusing to acknowledge him.
For every adjustment I made, he matched it perfectly. When I walked faster, he accelerated slightly. When I slowed down, so did he. This ridiculous game continued until I finally stopped and turned to face him.
“Blake Parker, what do you want?” I demanded.
He rested his arm on the open window, dark eyes full of challenge. “I’m curious to see how long it takes you to reach. Twilight Mansion,”
Chapter Comments
POST COMMENT NOW
LIKE
< SHARE
