The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1654

“Think it over. I won’t pressure you.” Andrew pulled back his hand, his voice more serious than she’d ever heard before. “I’ll wait for you.”

Before Shirley could respond, Andrew’s voice faded into silence—he was gone.

She barely noticed her grandma stepping up behind her, gentle fingers pressing down on her shoulder for comfort.

“I can tell Andrew genuinely cares about you,” Geneva said, her tone full of meaning as she watched Shirley’s face. “It’s just…”

“Grandma.” Shirley squeezed her grandma’s hand, forcing a smile that barely reached her eyes. “Let’s talk about something happier. I might win that scholarship. And when I do, Apex will send me the acceptance letter, and I’ll finally get to go…”

“Are you really happy?” Geneva interrupted softly. She could see straight through her granddaughter’s act. “You don’t have to hide how you’re feeling with me.”

At those words, Shirley’s forced smile crumbled. Her eyes stung, turning red as she fought the tears.

She’d already said the cruelest words she could think of, but Andrew still liked her. Today, he’d risked everything—his own safety—just to save her. Her heart wasn’t made of stone. She could see how much he cared. She just… didn’t know what to do about it.

She really didn’t know.

…

After leaving Shirley, Andrew pulled out his phone and dialed Charlotte.

“Charlotte.”

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