From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 503

Laurinda could tell something was off with Egan, and honestly, Adolphus felt it too. He had just been so sure, swearing he didn't know that woman, and now Egan's look was threatening the image he wanted Laurinda to have of him.

Egan broke the uneasy silence. "That woman is probably Ophelia, the youngest daughter from the Cole family in Aurelia. Adolphus, I’m not sure if you remember, but when you were fifteen, you and Balaam went to treat the elder from the Cole family."

"And that was when Ophelia got kidnapped," he continued, glancing at Adolphus with a half-smile. "You played the hero. Saved the girl and everything…"

Before Egan could finish, Laurinda cut in with a small laugh, quick and sharp. "Oh, so there’s a whole ‘hero and damsel in distress’ story? That’s quite the connection, isn’t it?"

Laurinda scooted her chair back, trying to put some space between herself and Adolphus, but he reached out and tugged her—chair and all—right back beside him.

He looked straight at her. "It wasn’t like that. I was trying to save myself. The kidnapping was after me. She just got mixed up in it—I only took her with me because I had to."

Egan’s words seemed to bring those memories rushing back to Adolphus. It had been his first time out on a call with Balaam, and he never expected to be targeted the moment they arrived in Aurelia. Letting himself get caught had been his plan all along, but he hadn't thought it would drag the Cole family's youngest daughter into trouble too.

When he finished his explanation, Laurinda just stayed quiet. He reached for her hand, feeling desperate, but she silently pulled away.

His hand hovered in the air for a second, empty. Frustration twisted in his chest. "You don’t believe me?"

Laurinda shook her head slightly. "I do, I just… I need a minute, that’s all."

She couldn’t even explain what she was feeling. She knew she was being a little unreasonable, but she couldn't stop the sharp sting of jealousy that bubbled up inside her.

Adolphus let his hand fall back in his lap and just stared at her. Deep down, he wanted to be happy that she was jealous for him, but all he felt was a complicated mess—part annoyance, part hurt. He hadn't done anything wrong.

The boarding call echoed through the terminal. Laurinda got up first, heading toward the gate without looking back. Adolphus followed, carrying her backpack.

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