Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3432

Marina gently shook her head, resting her chin in one hand while twirling a fallen leaf with the other. "I really don't care about that twenty percent."

Carson arched a brow. He understood perfectly.

But there was no way to comfort her. You couldn't choose the family you were born into, and you couldn't change them either.

Marina quickly pulled herself out of her melancholy mood. "I still need to thank you. At least you cleared my name."

This was a massive favor.

Carson smirked. "And how exactly do you plan to thank me?"

Marina looked at him, resting her cheek in her hand. "Aren't our favors basically just a running tab? I owe you, you owe me, and it all cancels out?"

Carson chuckled. "You say you want to thank me, but you have zero sincerity. If we're keeping score, I'm pretty sure you owe me way more. How does that cancel out?"

Marina thought about it and realized he was right. "Alright, how do you want me to thank you?"

Carson pondered for a second. "Next Saturday is my mother's birthday. She really likes you. Come celebrate with her, and we'll consider your debt paid."

Marina agreed without hesitation. "Done!"

Carson stood up. "Then it's a date. I'm heading out."

Still sitting on the steps, Marina waved at him. "Goodbye, Mr. Foster."

Carson paused and turned around. The sunlight stretched his tall silhouette across the stone. With a devastatingly handsome smile, he replied, "Goodbye, future Mrs. Foster."

Marina was speechless.

Whether it was their easy banter or just the distraction, Marina's mood bounced back considerably. She drove back to the office to finish her work.

If recent events had taught her anything, it was that true independence required a solid foundation—and making her own money was the only way to get there.

"Save the 'but.' I don't want to hear it. She almost killed herself just to frame me. What could I possibly do to her anyway?" Marina scoffed. "Let her rest. Let my grandparents keep spoiling her. Sooner or later, she's going to ruin her own life."

Rhiannon fell silent for a moment before asking, "Are you coming home this week?"

"I'm going to be swamped," Marina replied. "I won't be coming back. If you or Dad need anything, just call me."

"Alright. Take care of yourself out there."

"Got it."

Marina hung up the phone, took a deep breath, and turned back to her work.

The following week was relentlessly busy. Marina frequently didn't make it back until almost midnight. Every time she unlocked the door to Carson's apartment, a wave of profound gratitude washed over her. He had given her a sanctuary. There was no anxiety about coming home late, no suffocating family tension—just a quiet place where she could completely decompress after a grueling day.

And for that entire week, she didn't see Carson once.