Keepsake 494 Summary


    Tess reflects on the many years she spent feeling invisible and dismissed at the Embers, the painful memories momentarily overwhelming her. Despite this, she forces herself to remain calm andposed as she interacts with Lyra and Raven, masking her inner turmoil with a faint smile. The tension in the office lingers, but Lyra senses Tess’s determination and suggests wrapping up early so Tess can spend time with La, a gesture Tess quietly appreciates.


    Shortly after Lyra and Raven leave, Abel arrives, immediately noticing the worry on Tess’s face. Their conversation reveals Abel’s concern for her well-being and his gentle teasing about her distracted state. When Abel touches her cheek, Tess feels a rush of emotions but firmly asserts that she is fine, though the closeness unsettles her. Abel’s yful demeanor eases the mood, but the weight of earlier conversations with Lyra and Raven still lingers in Tess’s mind.


    Tess confesses her internal conflict, questioning whether focusing on revenge against the Embers and Shannon is a mistake. Abel responds with honesty and concern, urging her to move beyond the past and embrace the new chapter in her life. He reminds her that everyone carries pain from their past but warns against letting it consume her. Though younger, Abel’s steady and reassuring presence offers Tess an unexpectedfort.


    Encouraged by Abel’s words, Tess considers letting go of old grudges and spending more time with La, signaling a tentative step toward healing. While the room feels lighter as she speaks, the past continues to whisper in her mind, hinting that moving on will not be easy.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below


    494 You Can’t Keep Living in the Past


    Tess’s mind wandered back over the countless years she had spent at the Embers, years filled with being overlooked, dismissed, and treated as if she were invisible. The memories stung sharper than she expected, and she bit down hard on the inside of her lip, the sudden pain jolting her back to the present moment.


    “Don’t worry,” she murmured to herself, forcing a steady breath. “I won’t let bitterness cloud my judgment.”


    With great effort, she lifted the corners of her mouth into a faint smile as she faced Lyra and Raven, determined to mask the turmoil she felt inside. Yet, despite her attempt at calm, the atmosphere in the office remained thick with unspoken tension, barely easing at all.


    Lyra let out a quiet sigh, sensing Tess’s resolve. She chose not to press further. “Looks like you’re nning to keep things civil with the Embers for now,” she said softly. “If that’s the case, we can put the investigation on hold. Why don’t we wrap up early today? That way, you can spend some more time with La.”


    Standing, Lyra moved toward the door, but paused and nced back at Tess. The look she gave was full of understanding, almost like a silent encouragement. Tess caught it and returned the gesture with a gentle nod and a small smile.


    Raven, who had never been fond of heavy, suffocating moods, quickly followed Lyra out without another word.


    Not long after the door clicked shut behind them, a knock came from outside. “Come in,” Tess called out, still straightening the files Lyra had left scattered on the desk.


    Abel appeared in the doorway, his breath a little uneven as if he had hurried over from somewhere. The first thing he noticed was the worry etched across Tess’s face.


    “What’s wrong, Ms. Ember?” he asked, concern threading his voice.


    He crossed the room in a few long strides and settled into the chair opposite her, his eyes fixed intently on her. Tess felt a sudden awkwardness under his gaze; his presence was distracting enough, and now the paperwork seemed even harder to focus on.


    Sighing, she pushed the files aside. “Did you get Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Violet settled in okay?”


    Abel studied her for a moment longer, his gaze lingering thoughtfully. “Of course,” he replied smoothly.


    He tossed his jacket over the back of the chair and leaned backfortably, yet his eyes never left Tess. “But why didn’t you answer my question earlier?” he pressed.


    Tess blinked, confused. “What question?”


    Abel clicked his tongue twice, a teasing edge to his tone. “Ie all this way, and you’re miles away in your head? That’s a little rude, don’t you think, Ms. Ember?”


    He leaned forward, lowering himself so their eyes met evenly. “I asked what’s wrong. You don’t look well.”


    Before she could respond, his hand gently cupped her cheek.


    The softness of her skin surprised him — smoother and more delicate than most girls’, untouched by any makeup’s artifice. Feeling that tender warmth beneath his fingertips, Abel’s eyes darkened with something deeper, more intense.


    Tess could see every flicker of emotion passing through his gaze, raw and unguarded. The closeness made her heart pound, and instinctively, she ced her hand on his chest, gently pushing him back.


    “I’m fine,” she said firmly.


    Abel pulled away, ncing down at her hand resting on his chest, then let out a low, amusedugh. He sank back into his chair with a shrug. “Alright then.”


    Though his voice was light, the teasing lift at the end made it clear he wasn’t quite convinced.


    Tess watched him carefully, her pulse quickening. She pressed her fingers to her forehead, trying to calm the rush of emotions swirling inside her.


    Abel’s yful tone had brought a brief lift to the mood, but the words Lyra and Raven had spoken earlier still echoed in her mind, heavy and persistent.


    “Am I making a mistake by focusing all my energy on getting back at the Embers and Shannon?” she suddenly blurted out.


    Abel’s expression shifted to a frown as he met the conflict in her eyes. “Was that what Lyra and Raven said before they left?”


    He had hurried straight to Mars Legal after leaving the hotel, hoping Tess was still there. Seeing Lyra and Raven exit the office with unusually serious expressions had made him ask if Tess was around.


    “Maybe,” Tess admitted quietly. “For me, I just want you to notice me more, even when I’m busy.”


    Abel was candid, his voice soft but sincere. Tess hadn’t expected such honesty, and a flush of embarrassment mixed with irritation crossed her face as she shot him a sharp look. “I’m serious.”


    “So am I,” he replied, nodding.


    Noticing the stiffness in her expression, Abel quickly shifted the subject. “You just returned from Krigan a few days ago, and since then, you haven’t stopped moving. Ever since you got to Aetheris, you’ve thrown yourself into dealing with the Embers and chasing old scores. That’s why everyone’s worried.”


    He looked directly into her eyes. “We all have things from the past that hurt us. But Tess, you’ve started a new chapter. You can’t keep drowning in old pain.”


    Though Abel was younger, his voice was steady and reassuring in a way that surprised her. The moment felt strangely out of ce, yetforting.


    Clearing her throat, Tess forced a small smile. “It’s all behind me now. Maybe I should listen to them and head home early to spend some time with La.”


    The room seemed a little lighter as she said the words, but inside, the past still whispered softly, refusing to be forgotten so easily.Conclusion


    The chapter delicately explores Tess’s internal struggle between clinging to the wounds of her past and the possibility of moving forward. Her interactions with Abel reveal a tender vulnerability beneath her guarded exterior, highlighting the emotional weight she carries. Despite her efforts to maintainposure, the lingering pain and unresolved feelings continue to shadow her present, underscoring the challenge of letting go.


    Yet, through Abel’s gentle honesty and the supportive presence of Lyra and Raven, Tess begins to acknowledge the need for change. The quiet encouragement to embrace a new chapter and prioritize the present offers a glimmer of hope amid the turmoil. Though the past remains a subtle undercurrent, Tess’s tentative decision to seek sce in thepany of loved ones suggests the first steps toward healing and renewal.What to Expect in Next Chapter?


    The next chapter promises to delve deeper into Tess’s internal struggle as she grapples with the weight of her past and the desire to move forward. Her interactions with Abel suggest a growingplexity in their rtionship, hinting at moments of vulnerability and unspoken feelings that could challenge both of them. As Tess tries to bnce her pursuit of justice with her personal life, the tension between her resolve and lingering pain is bound to intensify.


    Expect subtle shifts in the dynamics between Tess and those around her, where unvoiced emotions and unresolved conflicts maye to the surface. The quiet moments of understanding could be tinged with hesitation, and Tess’s determination to keep her focus might be tested in unexpected ways. Readers will find themselves drawn into the delicate dance between past and present, longing and restraint, as Tess navigates the path ahead.


    Sara Lili


    <strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.