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Novel Catalog
Chapter 74
Cordy felt a knot form in her stomach. She had done her best to push the memory of that time aside, focusing on the present and the overwhelming responsibilities she had with Starstream Group. But John’s question, so unexpected and direct, caught her off guard.
She set her laptop aside, not sure how to respond immediately. It wasn’t that she hadn’t thought about the distance between them; she had. She’d rationalized it as a necessary boundary, something that needed to be done to keep things professional and focused. But John wasn’t letting it slide this time, and the sincerity in his voice made it difficult to dismiss.
John’s eyes were trained on her, a mix of curiosity and something deeper she couldn’t quite place. He waited patiently, as if giving her space to answer, but his quiet expectation made it clear that he wanted an honest reply.
“Why now?” Cordy asked, her voice softer than she intended. “That was months ago. Things have changed since then, John.”
John raised an eyebrow. “So, you think I wouldn’t notice?” He leaned back slightly against his pillows, watching her carefully. “You’ve been distant, and it’s not just from me. It’s like you’ve been keeping everyone at arm’s length since I came back.”
It wasn’t the first time John had noticed the way Cordy had been pulling away, but hearing it from him made her feel exposed. She had gotten so used to handling everything alone, compartmentalizing her emotions and keeping her personal life buried under the weight of business matters. But she couldn’t keep pretending that everything was fine.
“I didn’t want to complicate things,” Cordy finally admitted, her voice steady despite the weight of the truth. “Things between us, between you and me, it’s never been simple, has it?”
John was quiet for a long moment, his eyes locked onto hers, studying her carefully. Then he gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. “No, it hasn’t been. But I’ve never been the type to shy away from complications.”
Cordy’s heart skipped a beat, though she tried to hide it. She knew exactly what he was implying—and she wasn’t ready for it. Not now. Not when there was so much at stake.
“John, you know where I stand,” Cordy said, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her. “I have a company to lead, a family to manage. I can’t afford to let anything—or anyone—distract me right now.”
John studied her intently, his gaze never leaving her face. “And what if you’re wrong? What if you’re letting the best thing pass you by because of your pride or your fear?”
It was a simple question, but it hit her harder than she expected. She wasn’t sure if it was the honesty in his voice or the fact that he was challenging her perspective, but Cordy felt a shift inside herself. She had worked so hard to protect herself, to keep everyone at arm’s length, and now John was pointing out how those walls had kept her from truly living.
“I don’t have the luxury of regret,” she replied firmly, but even as she spoke the words, a small part of her wondered if she was lying to herself. Was she really making the right choice by keeping her distance from him? Or was she just afraid?
John didn’t respond right away, and for a moment, the only sound in the room was the steady rhythm of his breathing. Then, with a soft smile, he said, “You’re right. You don’t have the luxury of regret. But you might want to consider whether you’re living or just surviving.”
Cordy stared at him, taken aback by his insight. It was almost like he could read her thoughts, her fears. But she couldn’t let herself be vulnerable—not now, not when there was so much to lose.
“I need to focus on what’s ahead,” Cordy said, her voice soft but resolute. “And right now, that’s all I can do.”
John didn’t argue, though the flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes. He knew she wasn’t being entirely honest with herself, but he respected her decision. For now.
“Alright,” he said, his tone lightening, “But I’ll be here if you ever change your mind.”
Cordy didn’t answer right away, and instead, she returned to her laptop, allowing the silence to settle between them. Despite the tension, she felt a strange sense of relief, as if an invisible weight had been lifted. She wasn’t ready to face what John was suggesting—what it might mean for them—but she knew she had to keep moving forward.