Chapter 17 : Mutual Respect - 2 To him , my meager salary was insignificant , barely enough for one of his extravagant meals at upscale restaurants . Worse , it was clear that he never respected my career . remembered how when I once excitedly told Ethan I won a sizable five - million dollar case , he had sneered , " Our company signs contracts worth tens of millions without blinking ; five million is small fry . Why bother slaving away ? Just quit , I'll support you . " Since then , I never shared anything work - related with him again . I now realized he only liked my looks and body , never truly my soul or aspirations . Our relationship was shallow , all about pleasure , never about growth or understanding . By contrast , standing beside Connor , I felt genuinely appreciated and respected for the first time , sensing he might be the kind of partner who truly values me . As we exited the courthouse , Connor's phone rang . He answered it briefly , his expression growing serious . " That was Henry ," he said after hanging up , his face darkening . " The bottled water you received was laced with a heavy dose of toxins . " My amber eyes flashed coldly . " I guessed as much . " " Do you want me to handle it ? " Connor asked , his tone suggesting he was more than willing to take action . I shook my head . " No need . I'll just add this to the ledger - I'll settle it personally when the time comes . " We both knew that although the test result was clear , there was no direct evidence pointing to Cassandra . Reporting it would be pointless . Since this was a private vendetta , it would be repaid in kind , privately . The next few days passed in a pleasant blur . Connor extended his stay in Harbor City , and we spent our time exploring the city together . One evening , I took him to a small restaurant known for its spicy venison . I'd been craving it for weeks . " This is amazing , " I said , savoring the rich flavors . " The spice blend is perfect . " Connor nodded , though sweat beaded on his forehead . He wasn't used to such heat , but he stubbornly finished every bite . 1/3 < Chapter 17 Mutual Respect - 2 " You don't have to force yourself ," I laughed , passing him a glass of water . " I'm not forcing anything , " he insisted , though his face was flushed . " It's good . " +25 Puntos We visited Harbor City's famous botanical gardens the next day , taking countless photos among the exotic blooms . Connor insisted on capturing me beside a particularly stunning display of moonflowers . " They match your eyes , " he said softly , referring to the amber centers of the white blossoms . We toured the Harbor City Museum of Natural History , where Connor surprised me with his extensive knowledge of werewolf artifacts and ancient pack territories . " How do you know so much about this ? " I asked as he explained the significance of a centuries - old territorial map . He shrugged . " I've always been interested in our history . Understanding where we came from helps guide where we're going . " Compared to my three years with Ethan Grey , these few days with Connor felt richer , warmer , and far more fulfilling . The quiet companionship and mutual respect slowly began to heal the wounds in my heart . On our fifth day together , we visited a scenic overlook that provided a breathtaking view of Harbor City . The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the skyline , making the buildings shimmer . " It's beautiful ," I breathed , taking in the panorama . " Yes , it is , " Connor agreed , though when I glanced at him , he wasn't looking at the view but at me . My phone chimed with a message notification . Connor was holding it to help me take photos of the cityscape . His ice - blue eyes suddenly turned glacial as he looked at the screen . " What is it ? " I asked , noticing the change in his expression . He didn't answer immediately , his jaw tightening . When he finally handed me the phone , I saw a message from Ethan Grey : " Are you done with your tantrum yet ? " Comentarios