Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 1993

Coralie dug deeper and realized there was quite a lot in the drawer.

Most of it consisted of things she had bought for him, all carefully preserved like priceless treasures.

At the very bottom lay a battered duffel bag, bulging with God knows what.

Coralie pulled it out and untied the top. A flurry of loose photographs spilled out, fluttering to the floor like snowflakes.

The subject of every single photo, without exception, was her.

From the time she was a young teenager fresh in the orphanage, all the way to the present day.

Smiling, crying, looking lost, looking furious...

Sitting, standing, lying down, sleeping...

Every posture and expression imaginable was documented.

She didn't even remember half of these moments being captured.

Staring at the sea of photos scattered across the floor, Coralie sat frozen, entirely lost for words.

Jude hadn't been exaggerating. Channing really had loved her in secret for over a decade.

More than that—

He had known her even before Ari Lowell did.

For all those years, he was the one pulling strings in the shadows, protecting and helping both her and Ari.

She was already in love with Ari back then, so why would he go to such lengths?

Was it because he was so utterly starved of love that he'd accepted something so demeaning?

The thought sent a sharp pang through Coralie's chest, followed by a profound sense of helplessness.

Why did she suddenly feel like she had led him on and tossed him aside, like a total heartbreaker?!

—

The sky was turning a pale grey.

Having rested the entire night, Channing slowly opened his eyes.

He was greeted by the sight of a familiar room, and the air carried a scent that instantly put him at ease.

Was this Coralie's bedroom?

He sat up, piecing together the events of the previous day.

She had told him to get out, and then she slammed the door.

And then he had just fainted.

Since when had he become so fragile?!

Wait.

Where was Coralie?

Channing threw off the covers and scrambled out of bed, sprinting into the living room without even bothering with shoes.

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