Chapter 63

Angela POV

"You sound upset," Sophie said softly. "Come stay at my place tonight. We can talk, just like old times."

"Elizabeth is waiting for us at home," I told Sophie. "I don't want her to worry. I should head back. And I don't want to burden you too much, Sophie - you've already helped me so much." After I hung up the phone, I felt something drape across my shoulders, startling me.

I turned to find Christopher draping his cashmere coat over me, his amber eyes reflecting concern as they lingered on the faint scratches Jennifer's nails had left on my cheek.

"I'll call you back," I murmured to Sophie, ending the call.

Christopher's fingers brushed lightly over the marks on my face. "These should heal quickly," he said softly, "though I doubt the social damage will fade as easily."

I stepped back slightly, maintaining a polite distance. "The social damage was precisely what Jennifer wanted. She's quite skilled at manipulating situations to her advantage."

"Indeed." Christopher's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Would you join me for some tea? There's an excellent French patisserie just around the corner. We have quite a bit of catching up to do, Angel."

The old nickname stirred something in my chest-a mix of nostalgia and wariness. After a moment's hesitation, I nodded.

I was surprised when he took me to the dessert shop we used to frequent in high school. It was small and inexpensive, but filled with memories of our youth. "I can't believe this place is still here," I said.

"Your old friend is still here," Christopher said as we settled into a quiet corner table.

I couldn't help but smile. "You always did know all the best places."

"Some things never change." He gestured to the waiter, ordering in perfect French. "Though other things..." his eyes met mine, "have changed quite dramatically."

Christopher absently touched the tie clip I'd given him years ago-the one he still wore after all this time.

"Actually, I just got back yesterday afternoon," he admitted suddenly. "I saw you at Sean's company building downstairs. I thought you were doing well."

"The black Bentley?" I asked, remembering the car I'd seen while buying a sandwich yesterday afternoon. I had thought I was imagining things.

"Yes."

"Then why didn't you get out of the car and say hello?" I asked teasingly. "I thought I was being stalked! You should know that even being Sean's wife in name only, this title is quite valuable."

Christopher's lips curved into an amused smile. "I wanted to surprise you," he said softly.

"How long will you be staying in New York this time?" I asked, stirring my tea.

"I'm planning to develop my business here for the long term," he replied, his eyes holding mine. "We'll have plenty of chances to meet up from now on."

I laughed lightly. "Don't get ahead of yourself. I'm not exactly swimming in free time these days."

"Have you been well these past few years?" Christopher asked softly.

I fell silent, my fingers tracing the rim of my teacup. So much had happened in these years - my family's bankruptcy, my marriage to Sean, the pregnancy... Had I been well? I wasn't sure. Perhaps there were moments, those days with Sean, when I had found some happiness.

Seeing my prolonged silence, Christopher's expression filled with regret. "I shouldn't have asked that," he said quietly. "Actually, these past couple of days, I've seen you and Sean..." He trailed off, leaving the words hanging in the air.

After a moment, he leaned forward slightly, his voice growing serious, "When I left for London five years ago, I thought I was making the right choice. The opportunity at the City was too good to pass up. But then I heard about Wilson Investment's collapse, and..."

He paused, his fingers tightening around his teacup. "If I had been here, things might have been different. You wouldn't have had to-"

"Please," I said softly, gently interrupting him. "What's done is done. The past can't be changed." My voice was quiet but firm, trying to cushion the finality of my words.

His smile turned sad. "No, I suppose it can't. But the future... that's still unwritten, isn't it?"

Before I could respond, his phone lit up with an incoming call. The name "Kate" flashed across the screen, but Christopher silenced it without a second glance.

"Your sister?" I asked, remembering Kate.

Christopher nodded slightly. "Don't worry about her. It's nothing important."

The conversation shifted to safer topics after that-memories of shared classes, mutual friends, the changing landscape of Wall Street. But underneath the pleasant reminiscence, I could sense something else building, like storm clouds gathering on the horizon.

It was well past midnight when Christopher's car pulled up outside my building.

"Thank you for the night," I said politely, preparing to step out of the car. "I'm sorry I ruined your party tonight."

Christopher smiled. "Don't worry about it. New York never runs out of parties, does it?"

As I reached for the door handle, Christopher caught my hand, his grip gentle but insistent. "Angela." His voice was low, intense. "Whatever happens in the coming weeks, remember you're not alone."

I withdrew my hand carefully. "Goodnight, Christopher."

The elevator ride to the penthouse felt longer than usual. Elizabeth would be asleep by now, sparing me the need to explain my late return.

But as the doors opened, I found Sean standing in the hallway, his expression unreadable in the dim light.

"Where have you been?" His voice carried an edge I hadn't heard before. "Why aren't you answering your phone?"