Love On Ice: Don’t Leave Me, My Charming Liar

Chapter 124: After a moment's pause, Nyla instructed, "Please take her to the lounge. I'll meet her there." In the lounge, Callie sat with a beige hat, holding a steaming cup of coffee and looking thoughtfully out the window. Nyla's studio was nestled in a quiet corner of town, near a grand tree that stood on a circular platform, not far from a bustling shopping street. Though quieter than the city's heart, it offered a pleasant escape. Nyla entered, her high heels clicking assertively on the floor. As Callie's eyes met hers, Nyla gracefully took her seat on a chair.

"I don't believe there's much for us to discuss," Nyla replied, her attire a soft blue sweater that lent her a more serene appearance. Callie savored a sip of the aromatic coffee. "This is actually quite good. Your studio is not modest at all; Ethan must have spent a fortune on it." Nyla responded nonchalantly, "He offered it freely. Why should I hold back in using it?" No longer veiling her true feelings, Nyla was prepared to expose her thoughts, even at the risk of personal pain, hoping to unsettle Callie just as much. "Why do you persist in antagonizing me?

It's Ethan you should be confronting, not me." With a knowing smile, Nyla added, "I've figured it out now-you're afraid to face him. You fear his rejection, unable to face the possibility that he might not love you. So, you lash out at me instead." At these words, Callie's composed demeanor faltered, her face shadowing over as her fingers tightened around the coffee cup. Since her return, Callie had sensed Ethan's growing detachment, which, if not for the pressure from the elders of the Higgins and Brooks families, might have led to a canceled engagement.

Regaining composure, Callie retorted sharply, "Exactly, so it would be wise of you to distance yourself from Ethan, rather than clinging to him." Ⱡ₳₸€$† ₡н∆₱₸€Ɽ$ 1₦ glovєl.m "Then perhaps you should discuss that with Ethan and convince him to grant me freedom," Nyla retorted, her gaze piercing, emphasizing each syllable. The unwelcome truth began to dawn on Callie, sinking her heart. Her fists clenched momentarily in a silent display of turmoil. However, she relaxed her hold, her voice now carrying a feigned casualness, devoid of its prior edge.

"You might choose to stay, but I can't promise the safety of your brother who's locked up." Rising swiftly, shock etched across her face, Nyla demanded, "What did you just say?" The sight of Nyla's terrified expression delighted Callie. "Isn't your brother imprisoned on the city's east side? Ever wonder why he's never let you visit?" Callie's questions floated ominously in the air. Nyla's heart raced as she observed Callie's sinister grin, a chilling reminder of the underlying threats.

Nyla had often pondered why her brother refused to meet her, assuming it was to protect her from debt collectors. When she finally managed to see him, his haggard appearance, the scar on his forehead, and his weak physique clearly spoke of his hardships behind bars. She held back her questions, knowing her brother was unlikely to share his burdens. Yet, Callie's words now pieced the puzzle together. It had been orchestrated, hadn't it? . . .