L''s gaze lingered on Kieran''s face.


    He kept his attention on the road, sparing her only a fraction of it.


    Her mood had been off today. Though she had appeared fine when chatting with Noah earlier, the smile in her eyes had been faint.


    Noah, carefree as always, hadn''t noticed a thing.


    But Kieran knew her too well. He understood that, given L''s nature, if she


    wanted to talk, she would do so on her own. If she didn''t want to, asking would only pressure her.


    He wasn''t one to push her.


    However, he hadn''t expected the question she asked.


    He frowned. "The police had concluded it was an idental death."


    L kept her gaze fixed on his face, studying every subtle shift in his expression but finding nothing unusual.


    She unconsciously gripped the edge of her clothes.


    Kieran wouldn''t lie to her, so if that was the case, there shouldn''t be any problems, right?


    But if everything was fine, then what was the file about? Maybe it was something Kieran didn''t know about either.


    L took a deep breath to calm herself. She paused briefly before saying, "I guess it''s just that I''ve been feeling uneasytely."


    She looked out the window and exined, "I saw my parents today, and it hit me that we''ve been apart for so long.


    "A document with my dad''s name fell out of the safe. It''s probably rted to Morgan Group''s tech development.


    "Recently, Shannon and Pierre have been telling me my parents'' deaths weren''t an ident, trying to mess with my emotions. I''m sorry, Uncle Kieran. Am I disturbing you?"


    L fiddled with the diamond ring on her finger, ncing at him with a hint of guilt.


    Regardless of the truth, even if her parents'' car ident had been intentional, it could never be tied to Kieran.


    Today was supposed to be happy-they had just gotten their marriage license. After considering it, L''s expression rxed.


    Kieran couldn''t bear to me her. She simply missed her parents too much. His expression softened as he watched her idly fiddle with the ring. "How about we buy a cake?"


    "Sounds good." L''s tone lightened after realizing Kieran didn''t me her. They just got their marriage license that day, after all. Why not celebrate it?


    It was gettingte when they returned home with the cake.


    As soon as L exited the car, a cold breeze blew past, sending a shiver through her.


    Kieran found it endearing and quickly pulled her into his arms, holding the cake and preparing to guide her inside.


    L suddenly stopped after taking a few steps. "Wait, I forgot something."


    She hurried back to the car, opened the back door, and picked up the warm yellow rose bouquet.


    It was left in the car all afternoon and had started to wilt.


    She smiled and carefully held it. "It''s fine, it''s fine. Just soak it in some water, and it''ll be fine by tomorrow."


    Kieran''s expression softened as followed her. The normally aloof


    wore a rare, peaceful''


    e


    on his face


    His heart melted into a tangled mess.


    Still, he reached for her hand and said, "It''s cold outside. Let''s go inside."


    As he opened the door, L looked confused.


    "Why are the living root


    I remember turning them off this morning before we left,


    Her question made Kieran furrow his brows slightly.


    Neither believed intruders were in the house, but it was certainly odd.


    When the door opened, a shower of tiny red paper hearts suddenly fell from above, startling L.


    But her attention was quickly drawn to the festive decorations before her.