Chapter 24
Kimberly looked up at him, puzzled. “What?”
Drake thought she might still be upset, hesitant to give him the gift. Fine, he could make the first
move.
His voice softened. “Look, I was harsh at the store. Don’t be mad.”
There. That should do it.
Kimberly sighed, meeting his eyes. “I’m not mad.”
“Right,” Drake scoffed. “Sure you’re not.”
“Think what you want.”
Drake’s patience snapped. “Jesus, Kimberly. I’m trying to apologize here. What more do you want?”
Still folding clothes, Kimberly replied evenly, “I don’t need your apology.”
Drake stared at her for a long moment.
Finally, he asked awkwardly, “So… where’s the gift?”
‘What gift?”
‘Mason said he saw you buying a watch.” Drake shifted. “Isn’t that your way of apologizing? I’m
here now, so…”
Kimberly started to explain it wasn’t for him, but Drake continued, “Come on, stop playing games.”
Kimberly laughed, surprising him.
What’s so funny?”
You are,” Kimberly met his gaze. “Yes, I bought a watch. No, it’s not for you. And I haven’t done anything wrong, so why would I apologize?”
‘Not for me? Who’s it for then?” Drake’s fists clenched unconsciously.
15:02
Phoenix Nirvana: She Pirouetted Through the Flames They Set
10.0%
Chapter 24
“None of your business,” Kimberly replied coolly.
“None of my–I’m your boyfriend! Since when can you buy gifts for other guys?”
Compared to Drake’s anger, Kimberly remained remarkably calm.
“Oh? I thought you were Sienna’s boyfriend.”
“It’s not like that with Sienna,” Drake said quickly, his voice dropping with guilt.
Their relationship was more like lovers than partners, though he wasn’t ready to admit that. Technically, Kimberly was still his girlfriend.
He loved Sienna’s passion and flirtation, but he also appreciated Kimberly’s beauty and
accommodating nature.
He wasn’t ready to tell Kimberly about Sienna yet.
“About today at Chaumet–that was my mom’s idea. She needed help picking out jewelry to match
her new dress. She thinks Sienna has good taste, that’s all. We weren’t looking at rings for her. I was
just letting you think that to make you jealous.”
“Jealous?” Kimberly’s eyes turned cold. “You actually thought about my feelings?”
‘Kimberly, I’m sorry…‘
་་
‘Apology noted, but not accepted. And no, the gift isn’t for you.”
‘Then who?” Drake’s voice rose sharply.
‘My fiancé.”
‘Really? Playing the marriage card?” Drake’s tone dripped with derision. “What, I have to propose to
get the watch and your forgiveness? Is that it?”
Kimberly frowned. How could someone be so self–absorbed?
Where did he get the confidence to think she couldn’t live without him?
Drake shook his head, disappointment evident. “I thought you understood the gap between us. I thought you knew your place. But you keep pushing for marriage. It’s pathetic.”
15:02
Phoenix Nirvana: She Pirouetted Through the Flames They Set
10.19
Chapter 24
Kimberly just stared at him.
Drake stormed out, slamming the door.
Kimberly shook her head wearily.
She’d planned to tell him everything today–about the breakup, about being an heiress to the Jordan fortune, about her engagement to Asher. But he hadn’t given her the chance.
Perhaps she’d given him this confidence by playing the perfect girlfriend–never questioning, never jealous, never prying, giving him everything except physical intimacy.
Maybe that had created the illusion she couldn’t leave him.
He didn’t know she’d been so understanding because she’d known he never saw a future with them.
A year ago, she’d overheard his conversation with Caroline:
“Mom, relax. I know you’d never accept her as an Ashcroft. We’re just dating. Marriage? That would need your approval first.”
‘My son isn’t stupid enough to let romance cloud his judgment. I know you understand the difference between dating and marriage.”
Such clarity indeed.
Since then, she’d known Drake neyer planned a future with her.
[ruth was, Drake didn’t even like her that much.
But she wasn’t the type to die for love.
he could take it or leave it. If Drake just wanted to date, fine. She’d needed companionship in a trange city, needed someone’s arms around her. That was all.
he’d protected herself well–never even kissed him.
Why hadn’t she left earlier?
Because she’d still had feelings for him then, had grown used to his company.
43
Emotions are complex, rarely black and white.
15:02
Phoenix Nirvana‘ She Pirouetted Through the Flames They Cot
10.291
Chapter 24
After that conversation, she’d stopped mentioning her family’s wealth.
But discovering she was just Sienna’s replacement had killed any remaining interest.
She could accept that Drake didn’t love her enough to marry her, but she couldn’t accept being Sienna’s stand-in.
She was Kimberly Jordan. She was herself.
The last person Kimberly expected to see was Caroline Ashcroft.
Caroline swept in wearing a Chanel suit worth more than most people’s monthly salary, dripping in Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry. Every inch the Upper East Side matriarch who would indeed coordinate an entire jewelry set for one outfit.
“So you’re Kimberly?” She examined Kimberly like a disappointing purchase, her eyes full of
disdain.
“Hello, Mrs. Ashcroft,” Kimberly replied politely.
“Hmm.” Caroline surveyed the penthouse before fixing her gaze on Kimberly. “I’ve heard all about your little… performance today.”
She perched on the edge of the sofa, legs crossed at the ankle, perfectly poised. But her words carried none of that elegance:
‘Someone like you could never be an Ashcroft.”
7
15:02
