Selina instinctively wanted to turn her head—but she forced herself not to. "It has nothing to do with me. I don’t need to know."
Jacob seemed to see right through her. "Is it that you don’t care to ask, or you don’t dare to?"
A subtle difference in words, but a world apart in meaning.
If she didn’t care to ask, it meant she didn’t care about Logan at all—indifferent to whoever he was with.
If she didn’t dare, it meant she cared too much... so much she feared hearing the answer.
Selina frowned slightly, refusing to fall for the trap. "I don’t want to hear anything that has to do with Angelica."
Jacob’s smile deepened. "Then... do you like Logan?"
Selina was sure Jacob had been sent by the universe just to mess with her. Why did he always ask the kind of questions she couldn’t answer?
Seeing she remained silent, Jacob’s gaze flickered, but he didn’t press further.
At the ski resort, Selina had just strapped into her skis when she saw Logan striding toward her.
"This terrain is too steep for beginners. I’ll take you somewhere safer," he said.
Selina glanced at Angelica behind him, her chest tightening. "I’ll listen to Mr. Carter—he’s my instructor."
"Selina," Angelica chimed in sweetly, "don’t be so stubborn. Can’t you just talk things through? Even if you’re upset, don’t risk your safety over it."
She added innocently, "Logan’s already taught me the basics of skiing. From here on out, he can focus on teaching you. Don’t feel like you’re in the way."
Logan’s eyes shot Angelica a cold warning.
Selina nearly choked from the overwhelming scent of fake innocence.
She knew Angelica was provoking her—and damn it, it was working.
"I’ll show you a few basics," Jacob said, handing her the poles. "Keep your balance when you—Selina!"
Before he could finish, Selina had already bent her knees and launched herself down the slope.
"Careful! Don’t go too fast!"
She didn’t want to see Logan and Angelica together anymore. Out of sight, out of mind. But as a beginner, Selina had trouble controlling her speed on the way down.
Thankfully, Jacob stayed close, offering guidance, and before long she was getting the hang of it. Her movements became more fluid, more confident.
She waved at Jacob from a short distance away, then turned and glided toward another slope—never once sparing Logan a glance.
Jacob chuckled under his breath. "Looks like I win today, Logan. Selina doesn’t seem too interested in speaking to you."
Logan narrowed his eyes. "You sure know how to wedge yourself in."
Jacob feigned innocence. "Now, now—don’t blame me. You’re the one who got too close to Angelica. I’m just taking the opportunity you gave me."
Logan’s expression turned cold.
Jacob spun his ski poles playfully. "Anyway, I’m off to find Selina. Logan, enjoy your time with Miss Angelica—"
"Selina! What’s wrong?!"
Just then, Luke’s panicked voice rang out from nearby. "Stop! You need to stop!"
Both men’s heads snapped toward the sound.
Selina—who moments ago had been skiing confidently—was suddenly off-balance. Her skis tilted sharply to the left, and she was hurtling toward a safety barrier at dangerous speed.
If she hit it, it would be bad. Really bad.
The resort was secure, but no one had expected this.
Luke was frantic, yelling to the ski instructors, "Help her! Hurry!"
The shift happened so fast.
Her heart swelled with warmth. She wanted to thank him, but just as she was about to speak, a shrill voice interrupted.
"Logan, are you okay? You scared me half to death! Are you hurt?"
Angelica’s eyes were red, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I was watching so anxiously from outside the slope—why were you so reckless? You could’ve sent the bodyguards to help!"
Then she turned to Selina with a falsely concerned tone. "Selina, you shouldn’t have pushed yourself if you didn’t know how to ski. Now look, Logan got hurt because of you!"
Every word was dripping with blame.
Selina felt a sharp stab in her chest.
Logan ignored Angelica’s rant, gently touching Selina’s forehead. "Are you alright? Were you scared?"
Her thoughts were a mess—confused and tangled. "I’m fine!"
She abruptly jumped out of his arms and stumbled to the side. The next second, Angelica rushed up to Logan. "Logan, let me see your wounds!"
Logan frowned deeply, about to say something, but Selina had already turned away.
Luke looked between the two women, then cautiously walked over to Selina. "The doctor’s here. Want me to take you over?"
"No need. I just want to go back to my room and rest."
Logan’s voice came from behind. "Go get checked. Be good."
Selina stiffened, quickened her steps, and fled the scene.
Watching her leave, Jacob let out a mocking chuckle. "Logan, don’t worry about Selina anymore. You’d better focus on teaching Angelica."
With that, he quickly caught up to Selina. "The road’s long. You can’t walk back alone. I’ll drive you."
Selina hesitated, then gave a slight nod.
Logan’s gaze darkened further.
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