?Chapter 221:


    But inwardly, resentment still coiled in his heart. Words were easy. Letting go wasn’t.


    Kiara, however, believed every word. Tears streamed down her face as she clung to Darin’s arm.


    For once, Darin didn’t push her away. He merely endured it, his smile frozen, hollow.


    Paige let out a quiet sigh and closed her eyes.


    At the same time, at Regal Grove, Elliana sat beside Cole, feeding him thin slices of apple, one small piece at a time.


    There were no outsiders here—only Cole’s most loyal aides. When he had stormed into Willow Lane to retrieve her that night, they had seen through the facade. They knew she wasn’t the in, awkward woman she’d once pretended to be. Today, she wore no heavy makeup—her features were clean,posed, effortlessly beautiful.


    As they spoke quietly, sharing this rare moment of intimacy, the mood was warm and unhurried. Then, without warning, two unexpected guests arrived at Regal Grove.


    Killing time in the courtyard, Myles, Aron, and Hugh sprawled across the stone benches, doing their best not to interrupt Cole. The maids, butler, and security had all adopted the same strategy, drifting through their chores in near silence, hoping to stay invisible.


    There was no urgent crisis behind their collective disappearing act. The truth was embarrassingly simple. None of them wanted front-row seats to Cole and Elliana’s endless parade of lovey-dovey nonsense.


    In the past, Cole had carried himself as an unppable leader—sharp, stoic, impossible to shake. Lately, though, he was utterly insufferable, always trailing after Elliana, murmuring sweet nothings, clinging to her hand like a teenager with his first crush.


    They’d gotten used to Cole’smanding presence, his icy detachment. Watching him now, hopelessly lovestruck, was enough to make their skin crawl.


    ???????????????? ?????????????? ????????: ?????????ν????????﹒?????


    Not to mention, everyone was still shell-shocked from thest time they’d stumbled into one of Cole and Elliana’s affectionate sprees—an afternoon that had dissolved into a thunderous fight and left the entire staff on edge for days.


    Lesson learned. This time, unless Cole specifically summoned them, nobody was risking an appearance. Thest thing they wanted was to witness another meltdown, or worse, get caught in the st radius if things exploded again.


    Sick with boredom, Hugh couldn’t help grumbling under his breath as he slouched further down the bench. “Aron, when exactly did Mr. Evans turn into such a lovesick disaster?”


    Aron’s eyes narrowed with a chill that could freeze rain. He spun away, making it clear he wanted no part in that conversation.


    Hugh shot Aron an exasperated look—honestly, the guy had no chill. Giving up on him, Hugh wandered over to the stone table where Myles was busy sifting through a messy stack of paperwork.


    Hugh pestered Myles with a dramatic groan. “Seriously, Myles, how long do you think Mr. Evans will continue to act like some lovesick puppy?”


    Without missing a beat or ncing up, Myles shut him down. “Go bother someone else.”


    .


    .


    .