?Chapter 1151:


    Alerith was more than just a city to Kristian. It was a ce heavy with memories—some wonderful, most painful.


    Lately, due to Lawrence’s help, Kristian’s insomnia had improved, but his appetite was still poor.


    Gerard worried that a trip to Alerith might bring Kristian face-to-face with Freya again. If that happened, all those bottled-up feelings coulde crashing back.


    “No need. I’ll go myself,” Kristian’s answer was ice-cold.


    Gerard hesitated, lips pressed tight, but decided not to argue. It was just another meeting, after all. What were the chances he’d actually bump into Freya?


    Noticing Gerard still standing there, Kristian spoke up. “Is there something else?”


    “There is.”


    “Go ahead.”


    “I discovered the real reason Ms. Briggs moved away,” Gerard said quietly, hoping the truth might finally give Kristian some peace.


    Kristian’s fingers hovered over the keyboard, motionless. His gaze grew distant and shadowed.


    Before he could say anything, Gerard pressed on. “She didn’t leave because of you. She moved into a more convenient, high-end ce with Ellis.” Melvin had been the one to mention it.


    A deep ache settled in Kristian’s chest, sharp and unrelenting.


    That news stung even more than if she’d left simply to avoid him.


    “Sir?” Gerard noticed something off in his expression and called out tentatively.


    “Got it.” Kristian’s voice came out rough. His face gave nothing away. “You can go.”


    With a worried nod, Gerard quietly exited the room.


    On his way out, he looked back, troubled by what he saw.


    Kristian had grown harder to read. He seemed steady on the surface, maybe even more mature than before, but it was a brittle sort of calm. Yet, his heart remained closed off, untouched by anyone but himself.


    Kristian stayed at his desk for hours, staring at his phone, hoping for a response from Felipe.


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    Several times, he considered sending another message, but each time he decided against it.


    Felipe, meanwhile, still hadn’t figured out what to say to Kristian. Instead, he made his way to Farrah’s ce, hoping he could pick up more information after Freya left.


    Neither Farrah nor Freya paid him much mind.


    Around midday, Freya shared lunch with Farrah. She nned to spend a little more time with Isabe, but the child fell asleep halfway through the meal. Freya chose not to hang around and made her way back to meet Ellis.


    A quiet ease lingered between Felipe and Farrah—unspoken, but unmistakably natural.


    After Freya took her leave, Felipe began folding Isabe’s tiny clothes, his movements casual as he spoke with Farrah.


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