The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 465

Rebecca and Dylan sat together in the car, the hush inside broken only by the absence of their driver. The silence felt almost heavy, as if the air itself was holding its breath.

Suddenly, Rebecca’s phone chimed, slicing through the quiet. She glanced at the screen—Noah had messaged her. Instantly, a gentle smile lit up her face, softening her features.

Dylan, at the wheel, caught the sound and glanced over out of habit. He couldn’t help but notice the word “Sweetheart” glowing at the top of her screen. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, taking in the way her lips curled in an unguarded grin.

Sweetheart? Who was that, to make her so happy?

The drive continued, punctuated by the constant ping of Rebecca’s phone. She was obviously engrossed in the conversation—her fingers flying across the screen, laughter bubbling up now and then as she replied.

At one point, Rebecca looked up from her phone and met Dylan’s eyes in the rearview mirror. His expression was tense and impassive, his blue eyes unreadable. She immediately offered an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Mr. Austin. Am I distracting you?”

Without waiting for his reply, she quickly silenced her phone, the soft chime replaced by the hum of the storm building outside.

Dylan said nothing, simply returning his gaze to the road. He hadn’t seen anything beyond that single affectionate word—“Sweetheart”—and he wasn’t in the habit of snooping on other people’s business, anyway.

Rebecca didn’t seem bothered. She bent her head, diving back into her chat. From the steady stream of messages and her frequent chuckles, whoever she was talking to—actually, four someones—had plenty to say. Her laughter filled the car in little bursts, the only warmth in the otherwise chilly silence.

Every time Dylan glanced over, he caught Rebecca smiling at her phone.

Was chatting with “Sweetheart” really that much fun? He couldn’t help but wonder. Was it a son, or perhaps another man? Apparently, the whole Foster family business earlier hadn’t affected her at all.

Eventually, Rebecca finished her conversation, set her phone aside, and leaned back, intending to catch a nap. But just then, the car shuddered as a gust of wind slammed into it. Rain began to pour in sheets, rattling against the windows with a relentless, drumming force.

A sudden downpour. The storm was here.

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