L froze. The news was beyond shocking. It took her a while to find her voice again. "The person Ms. Clemence likes... isn''t you?"


    She asked again, "Then why do you treat her differently? I''ve seen you meet her alone."


    And Kieran treated Ruby differently from how he treated other women.


    Kieran, of course, remembered those private meetings. As he processed everything, it dawned on him. Had L''s mood shifts been caused by seeing him with another woman?


    The realization brought him a sense of joy. But that joy was quickly overshadowed by an even greater sense of mncholy.


    Something was always in their way.


    L had Bryce as her first love. Then she met Dorian when she left the Morgan family to be independent.


    When Kieran finally found his way into her world, the incident involving the deaths of her parents resurfaced.


    He was always toote.


    Kieran nced at the apple slices, which were starting to brown. He still picked up


    a piece with the fork and popped it into his mouth.


    The sweetness spread across his taste buds.


    His voice was calm as he exined, "Yes, we''ve met alone, but it was about Noah. Ruby had just returned to the country and wanted to know about him.


    "And the time I saw her during our honeymoon was purely coincidental. She was genuinely there to watch Noah''s match."


    All the little things he overlooked before suddenly made sense now.


    L paused as she processed his words, realizing she had misunderstood the situation. The awkwardness left her at a loss for words.


    She quickly grabbed the apple from Kieran''s hand. "I''ll cut you a fresh one." Kieran watched her silently.


    In the end, eating two apples left him too full to eat much at dinner.


    L, thinking hisck of appetite was due to difort, felt even more conflicted.


    His injuries were her fault and her emotions toward Kieran and the Morgan family were growing increasinglyplicated.


    Before the incident with James, she


    felt that being with Kieran was


    wrong. But with everything so.


    jumbled, she didn''t know where to start untangling her thoughts.


    That evening, Cole offered to stay and keep watch, suggesting she go home and rest.


    "Have Cole drive you back. It''ll be fine with him around," Kieran said to her.


    He didn''t want her guilt to force her into doing something she didn''t want to do. She needed time to sort through her thoughts.


    L nodded and left.


    On the way home, she received a message from Amelia. "L, I just saw the news. Are you okay?"


    "Where are you now? I''lle over."


    Let


    L thought about Kieran''s words during that moment of crisis about what he had asked her. Her g lingered on Amelia''s picture.


    い


    She was no longer that lonely girl without anyone to care for her. How could she


    even think of giving up on life?


    Her expression softened, and she replied: "I''m fine, don''t worry."


    But Amelia wasn''t reassured. She started a video call.


    Amelia was rmed by the bandages wrapped around L''s neck. "That scumbag James deserves to rot in hell."


    L chuckled. "He will."


    "How can you stillugh? You don''t know how worried Jamie and I have been," Amelia scolded.


    "And me too!" Teddy''s face suddenly appeared behind Amelia.


    bet


    L''s smile grew. "It''s my fault for not being careful. I''ll treat you both to dinner soon to make up for it Calm your poor hearts."


    She could tell Amelia wanted to ask about Kieran but chose not to, likely out of consideration for L''s feelings.


    For now, L didn''t want to think about those issues, so she didn''t bring them up either.