The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 186

On the drive home, Halcyon turned to Yancey. “That woman at the store just now, wasn’t she the Huxleys’ second daughter, Wisteria?”

Yancey clearly hadn’t expected Halcyon to know. As they passed through an intersection, he braked a bit too sharply.

“How did you find out?” he asked, though his expression remained impassive.

“Solenne told me,” Halcyon replied, glancing down.

“And what else did she say?”

“She said you used to chase after Wisteria. Everyone in your circle knows about it. Solenne claims Wisteria is...well, not exactly a saint.”

“Rumors are just rumors.” Yancey’s voice was calm but firm. “Wisteria and I have always been friends since we were kids. We never dated, and she’s not the person those stories make her out to be.”

He spoke quietly, drawing a clear line, yet Halcyon could sense a note of defense in his tone.

Yancey had a reputation: polite, fair, almost impossibly decent. Even though Halcyon hadn’t known him long, she was sure he wasn’t the type to defend another woman in front of his fiancée.

But that’s exactly what he was doing.

No matter how well he hid it, women have a way of sensing these things, especially after Solenne’s little revelations.

“Yancey, did you throw this birthday party for me at Huxley Toys store just to get a rise out of her? I’m not a pawn in your little games, am I?”

She’d tried to swallow it down, but the words slipped out anyway.

Yancey was, objectively, the ideal man to marry. The Covington family’s name brought weight and influence, a boon for both Halcyon’s family business and her own career. Among Havencrest City’s elite, Yancey was the golden boy—handsome, respected, even rivaling any Hollywood actor in looks and charm.

She could have learned to live with the shadows of his past, maybe even the lingering feelings. But Halcyon was proud, and Wisteria? She was an orphaned adoptee with a questionable reputation. Halcyon couldn’t understand why Yancey still seemed unable to let her go.

“Ms. Loring, you misunderstand.” Yancey’s tone suddenly turned icy. “I don’t take relationships as lightly as you imagine. I can’t control what people say, but the choice to believe them is yours.”

He paused, then continued, “I hosted your birthday there because it was on your wishlist. I didn’t expect to run into her. If this has upset you, or if you want to call off the engagement because of it, I’ll respect your decision.”

Halcyon almost argued back, but his calm, logical coldness left her with nothing but a mouthful of frustration. After all, there was little real affection between them. Yancey didn’t need her, and he made that clear. At least he’d stated where he stood. Halcyon thought it over the whole way home and, just before getting out of the car, convinced herself to try again.

“Yancey, I like you. I want to make this work and see where it leads. But I need you to mean what you say. Don’t betray my trust.”

Halcyon had ordered them on a whim at the shop, specifically requesting Wisteria deliver them herself.

Company policy dictated that items this valuable had to be personally inspected by the client. Since Wisteria had been assigned the delivery, she had no choice but to wait for Halcyon’s return.

As soon as Halcyon entered, Wisteria approached with the delivery form. “Ms. Loring, your order has arrived. Please inspect the items and sign here.”

“Thank you, Ms. Wisteria Huxley,” Halcyon replied, drawing out Wisteria’s name with a slow, deliberate smile as she finally gave her a proper look.

Wisteria’s eyes widened slightly. Halcyon had never addressed her by name before. Had Yancey told her everything?

From the window earlier, she’d seen Yancey drop Halcyon off. It was still early. Wisteria had assumed Solenne wanted to make her wait until the birthday party was over, forcing her to stay for hours. She hadn’t expected Halcyon to return so soon, let alone to sign for the delivery herself.

Still, it made sense. If Yancey wanted to get back at her, his fiancée helping out wasn’t impossible. No one would rush home from their own birthday just to receive a delivery, unless there was another reason.

“If you’re satisfied, Ms. Loring, please sign,” Wisteria prompted again, seeing Halcyon hesitate.

Halcyon’s gaze flicked between the plush toys. She paced around them, then instructed the butler beside her, “Bring me a good bottle of wine.”