Chapter 135: A Call Across the Ocean

Mia felt a pang in her heart, her smile wavering. “My mom’s birthday is soon. Madam Graham was kind to let me return to Havenbrook. Can I travel with you?”

Fraser’s voice was flat. “Inconvenient,” he replied.

Mia blinked, stunned. She thought, They’d grown up together, however distantly, and my father died for the Graham family. Yet he wouldn’t even share his jet?

“My girlfriend would mind,” Fraser added.

Mia gaped. “You have a girlfriend? Was it the caller?” she thought.

Fraser’s icy gaze swept over her. “Is that your business?”

Mia’s smile faded. “I’ll go then,” she replied, her heart aching as she left. She thought, It’s the first time I’ve heard Fraser acknowledge a girlfriend, his eyes softening with clear affection. She wondered who had won his heart but was relieved it wasn’t his fiancée. She thought, The Grahams won’t accept her either, just as they discarded her despite her father’s sacrifice.

Inside, Fraser called Summer back, phone to his ear, idly handling a black velvet box. Inside was a sapphire bracelet, its gems sparkling like stars, priceless and rare. Though jewelry rarely interested him, he’d bought it for its meaning.

When the phone rang, Summer lifted her head from the steering wheel, her eyes red. She stared at the screen as the ringtone echoed, then slowly answered.

“Summer,” Fraser called. His lazy, magnetic voice, laced with static, still sent a shiver through her. Her heart fluttered, then ached, pain radiating outward.

Summer cleared her throat. “When are you coming back?” she asked.

His lips curved. “Miss me?” Fraser asked.

She paused. “I have something to tell you.”

He raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

“Not over the phone. We’ll talk when you’re back,” Summer replied. Her dwindling pride wouldn’t let her wait until Fraser was engaged. Her love might be worthless, but it wasn’t cheap.

Fraser toyed with the box, his tone soft. “So urgent?”

Her voice was hoarse. After a moment, she hummed affirmatively.

He chuckled lowly. “Clingy thing. Wait for me,” Fraser said.

Yvette dragged Summer to a famous barbecue restaurant after a variety show. Yvette, in high spirits, sipped a beer, cooking beef on the hot grill and slathering it with chili sauce. The heat thrilled her senses.

Summer bit into a meatball, its juices bursting. “I’m happy watching you eat,” Summer replied.

Yvette set down her fork, eyeing Summer’s gloom. “Something’s wrong,” Yvette said.

Summer tilted her head. Is it that obvious!

Yvette probed. “Is it because I warned you before to be careful with Fraser!”

Seeing Summer silent, Yvette assumed she’d guessed right.

“I used to think all men are jerks, just side dishes. But I don’t know Fraser well. When the Stewart family mistreated you, he stood up for you without hesitation. Even I benefited from your tie to him recently. He’s different from that jerk Trevor.”