chapter574

Chapter 574

Karen was consumed by a single, resolute thought: she could not let her life be tied to Jeffrey’s based on a night of chaos.

The weight of what had happened felt heavy on her chest. Watching the man behind her showing no signs of moving, she couldn't contain her urgency. "What are you waiting for, Jeffrey?"

"So you're just itching to be done with me that quickly?" he asked, his voice low.

"Can't you understand the position I'm in?" Karen was on edge, her patience thinning. She locked eyes with Jeffrey, her expression pleading. "I need to take care of this immediately. We can sort out our arguments later, but right now, I need you to go to the pharmacy. Please."

She never expected their conflict to escalate to such an intense, regrettable level. The panic was palpable in her voice. If she had anything of her own to wear, she would have dashed out to handle it herself long ago.

Jeffrey seemed like he wanted to argue further, but seeing the genuine distress in her eyes, he fell silent. He grabbed a set of casual black clothes from the closet and hurried out the door without another word.

After freshening up, Karen waited anxiously in the room, wrapped in a pair of oversized pajamas. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, but her resolve was clear: she couldn't stay entangled with him. They were worlds apart. To her, he embodied everything she tried to avoid—he was impulsive, unpredictable, and seemed to lack the respect she deserved.

When Jeffrey returned with the necessary medication, Karen didn't hesitate for a second. She took it immediately, feeling a small sense of relief wash over her.

"The pharmacist mentioned there might be some side effects, like dizziness," Jeffrey noted, watching her closely.

"It doesn't matter," she replied curtly. As long as she could regain some control over her future, she would deal with the discomfort.

Karen didn't wait for him to offer her a change of clothes; she needed to leave. She had managed to deflect her parents' questions for now, but she knew a lecture was waiting for her at home. The thought alone was irritating.

"Lend me a T-shirt," she said. Her own clothes were in no state to be worn, but she just needed something simple to get her home.

"I'll take you out to buy something new," Jeffrey offered.

"No need. I have to go." Her refusal was firm. She wanted to draw a definitive line between them right here and then.

As he went to fetch a shirt, Karen added, "Don't give me anything expensive. I don't want to owe you anything."

Jeffrey handed her a plain white tee. "You don't have to return it. I have plenty."

"Fine." Karen slipped it on, grabbed her phone, and headed for the door. Jeffrey followed her to the foyer. As she reached for the handle, he reached out as if to stop her.

"You're just going to leave like that? After everything?"

"What else do you expect?" she asked, turning to face him. She still had to go home and mentally process the mess he had contributed to. She knew her brother, Kenneth, would suspect something; he was far too observant to be easily deceived.

"Give me your number, Karen." Jeffrey had no intention of letting her disappear again.

"There's no need, Mr. Turner. I've made myself clear; this isn't a match."

"What would make it a match then?" Jeffrey insisted, his gaze fixed on her, refusing to let the conversation end.

"It's just not going to work," Karen said, trying to maintain her composure. She was wary of provoking him further. "Look, a lot has happened, and I'm overwhelmed. Let me go home and think. Once I've cleared my head, I'll give you an answer."