My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 1123

Andrew leaned back, speaking with an easy confidence that Tristan couldn't miss. "You don't need to stress, Mr. Davis. Whatever's going on between us, we'll work it out ourselves."

Tristan caught the undertone right away.

Emily caring about Andrew? Please. That was laughable.

"What are you even saying, Mr. Lane?" Tristan replied. "Of course I'm going to step in when it comes to my girlfriend. I don't want just anyone getting close to her, especially not someone with questionable motives. Besides, I think you're reading way too much into things. You were stuck in the hospital for days and she barely even visited. If you ask me, she doesn't seem to care all that much. Maybe you shouldn't get your hopes up."

He might as well have had "Get over yourself, Andrew" written across his forehead.

Andrew's fingers stilled for a second before he spun his teacup, pressing his thumb against it so hard his knuckle turned white.

"She's busy. I get it," he said, keeping his tone even.

Tristan raised his eyebrows, pretending to be surprised. "Busy? She’s been coming home straight after work this whole time. Honestly, she hasn't seemed busy at all. She even went to the movies with me a couple times last week."

Andrew’s expression froze.

Tristan shook his head, acting apologetic. "Guess I'm not being very thoughtful, making her go out with me when she's supposedly so busy."

Andrew stared at Tristan, his gaze dark. In his mind, one word came up.

Manipulative.

He took a slow sip of tea, swallowing down the jealousy before it could show. Andrew never let his guard down in front of a rival.

"Younger people are like that," he said coolly. "They stir up drama and burn through all their feelings, and in the end things fall apart. When they get older, they realize someone better was waiting all along. I’ve got time. I’m willing to wait until she figures out who’s really right for her."

He spoke like someone older and wiser, as if Emily and Tristan’s relationship was just a passing phase, not worth taking seriously.

Tristan saw right through him and smirked inside. He shot back just as directly, "Save it, Mr. Lane. My girlfriend told me she prefers younger guys, not older men. Age is a real barrier, you know. You’re way older than Emily. Surely you realize that?"

Andrew didn’t even flinch. "Go ahead."

Tristan leveled him with a cold, steady look. "Emily Blair is my girlfriend. I want you to stop bothering her. Got it, Mr. Lane? Maybe try having some self-respect. Aren’t you worried about what people might say about you behind your back?"

"Harassing her?" Andrew shot back. "I’m just looking out for her, like an older brother would. How is that harassment?"

Tristan cut straight to the point. "You know exactly what you’re doing. So do I. Pretending otherwise is pointless. If anyone saw the messages you’ve been sending her, you’d be the one who couldn’t show your face."

Andrew looked completely unfazed. "So you’ve read them? No wonder you’re this upset."

Tristan narrowed his eyes. "What you’re doing is shady. You’re acting like the other woman. It’s pathetic."

Andrew shook his head, letting out a low laugh. "Sorry, but I don’t see it that way. First of all, you and Emily are just dating. You’re not married. Until you are, I still have every chance to get back together with her. That’s not wrong. Second, if you really wanted me out of the picture, you wouldn’t be acting so threatened. From where I’m standing, your insecurity just proves that you don’t trust your relationship with Emily. If you were really confident, you wouldn’t care what I did, right?"