?<strong>Chapter 883:</strong>


    “Leave, please.”


    A pained expression crossed yton’s handsome features as he bit his lip.


    Once yton departed, Kallie exhaled a long, deep breath of relief. Each time they interacted, she felt an increasing sense of suffocation, as if yton sought control over every facet of her existence.


    Despite conversations where Kallie voiced her displeasure, yton dismissed his behavior as merely a residual habit from his days caring for Cara.


    His overbearing kindness meant taking charge of everything, supposedly for Kallie’s sake, always with a promise to ease off, though change never came. The doctor had advised yton to recuperate and steer clear of stress, which made Kallie reluctant to confront him harshly, especially since he had nearly died protecting her.


    Feeling a mix of gratitude and restraint, Kallie deemed it too harsh to rebuke him outright. Yet, she conceived a potential remedy. Perhaps introducing him to other women would shift his focus. Armed with this n, Kallie set to work making introductions.


    Meanwhile, at Burmoos airport, Jake was fixated on his phone, his thoughts in disarray. At that moment, his emotions were tangled and hard to pinpoint. Due to his memory loss over the past three years, Jake no longer had Kallie’s personal number.


    Just as he was preparing to leave town, the urge to hear Kallie’s voice one final time overwhelmed him. He had Lacey give him Kallie’s business card. He dialed the number, and the call connected almost instantly.


    Kallie’s voice, warm and familiar, poured through the receiver. Ovee with emotion, Jake found himself speechless, gripped by a wave of cowardice.


    Jake was aware that even if yton discovered he was still alive, there was nothing yton could do since he was leaving now. He thought he owed it to himself to at least seek an exnation. However, hearing the slight tremble in Kallie’s voice made his resolve falter.


    Ga lno vel s . takes you into new worlds


    Just as Jake mustered the courage to speak, yton’s voice intercepted the call, crushing Jake’sst sliver of hope and illusion. Like a thief caught red-handed, Jake swiftly ended the call, fearful of revealing his emotional fragility.


    At that moment, Jake gripped his phone with white-knuckled intensity, struggling to catch his breath as though it were his only lifeline.


    Upon her return, Lacey found Jake ashen-faced and teary-eyed, a sight that stirred deep sympathy within her.


    Lacey felt a shiver of fear ripple through her as she noticed Jake’s tense expression. Her voice quivered as she asked, “Has yton discovered where we are?”


    Jake was abruptly pulled from his reverie, shaking slightly.


    “It’s nothing. We should get moving.”


    His attempt to sound dismissive didn’t fool anyone. His difort was palpable. Lacey’s heart tightened with concern, yet she decided not to probe, respecting his silent plea for space.


    Then, the airport speakers crackled to life, announcing their flight. Just before they boarded, Jake paused to cast a lingering nce over his shoulder, his gaze heavy with nostalgia. In the years ahead, there was a chance he wouldn’te back. He knew he needed to establish himself overseas swiftly if he was ever to reim the Reeves Group.


    As they settled into their seats on the ne, Jake turned inward, shutting his eyes and shutting out Lacey’s attempts at conversation.


    Lacey’s unease grew. She sensed this had something to do with Kallie. Could Jake really not let Kallie go? What was it about Kallie that haunted him so?


    .


    .


    .