?Chapter 684:


    “What do you want?” Kaiden asked.


    “I wanted to check on Miss Curtis,” Carole said.


    Carole’s response flickered with a glint of hope, her eyes brightening with expectation. “Oh, by the way, I’ve got a ce here in Glostin. Kaiden, you can crash at mine if you want.”


    Casually leaning against the door frame, Kaiden watched Carole closely, taking in every detail.


    Even without words, Carole could feel Kaiden’s impatience. A sense of unease crept over her, knotting her stomach.


    “Carole, I’m married,” Kaiden gently reminded her.


    “Kaiden, you’ve got it all wrong!” Carole’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I just meant you and your wife coulde over, you know, as a friendly gesture!”


    Surely, if she could find his hotel info, she would know Ellie hadn’te with him. Why did she have to be pretentious?


    “Aren’t you here about Baylee?” Kaiden asked.


    Carole’s palms grew sweaty as she stuttered nervously, “Kaiden… do you think I’m involved too?”


    Her smile faltered slightly. “It kinda makes sense. Ellie’s your wife, so you’d listen to her, right?”


    Ignoring her implications, Kaiden stayed firm. “You should head back.”


    “Kaiden…” Carole pressed against the door, shaking her head in disbelief. “Carole, it’s not right for us to meet privately at such ate hour,” Kaiden said. “Especially, we should avoid meeting in a hotel room without anyone else present.”


    Carole looked hurt as she asked, “Is it… Is it because of Ellie? Does she not like me?”


    “It’s got nothing to do with her,” Kaiden replied, his expression darkening at Carole’s unfounded suspicions.


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    Indeed, Ellie never warmed up to Carole. But she remainedposed and understanding, never imposing her views on others. Respect guided her interactions, shaping her rtionships with those around her.


    Kaiden resisted the urge to m the door, with his brother’s final wishes to take good care of Carole etched in his memory.


    “Carole.” Kaiden’s voice cut sharply through the air, each word as cold as ice. “If my brother hadn’t died, you’d be family now. You know how important it is to keep things proper between families.”


    “He’s gone, Kaiden! In fact, I never really married him. So I’m not your sister-inw!” Carole’s words echoed defiantly down the corridor.


    Caught in Kaiden’s icy stare, Carole stepped back in panic.


    “I’m sorry…” she stumbled over her words, the weight of her mistake heavy on her. “I didn’t mean it.”


    “Just leave!” Kaiden’s voice was firm as he closed the door without hesitation.


    Alone in the silence, Kaiden wished his brother could see how things had changed, how the past was slipping away.


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