?Chapter 1108:


    Together, we wandered into the garden that stretched in front of the main building.


    Bathed in moonlight, the garden radiated a serene stillness. Fragrant blooms perfumed the air, blending with the cool night breeze to wrap us in a cocoon of pure, quietfort.


    We followed the winding path in silence until Bryan came to a sudden stop. He turned to face me, eyes searching mine with an intensity that rooted me in ce. “Makenna… has your love for me ever changed?”


    I blinked, caught off guard. The question felt like it had fallen from another world. “Why are you asking me this? I… I don’t understand.”


    His lips twisted into something between a smile and a sigh, self-mockery slipping into his voice. “There are so many men around you—each one means something to you. Even someone like me, who used to be so arrogant, can’t help but feel a little afraid.”


    Bryan had always been confident—bold,manding, impossible to ignore. I had never seen him like this before, so open and vulnerable, and something inside me softened.


    I reached for his hand,cing my fingers through his. “What are you afraid of? Just tell me.”


    His gaze deepened, a storm of affection and unease swirling beneath the surface. “I’m afraid… you’ll leave me.”


    A faint smile touched my lips as I leaned forward, pressing my forehead gently against his. “Have you forgotten?” I whispered. “We share a child, Bryan.”


    He froze—eyes wide, breath caught in his throat, guilt flooding his expression like a sudden tide.


    The silence that followed was heavy. Then he broke it with a low, hoarse voice. “The people I sent out still haven’t found Alice and the others. I’m sorry, Makenna. This is all my fault. I failed you. I failed our child.”


    His remorse stunned me.


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    In truth, I knew exactly where Alice and the others were. I had chosen not to tell him.


    But seeing him now, burdened by regret, I knew it was time.


    “Actually… Alice and the others are safe,” I said softly. “They’re staying at Amon’s house. Winfred’s doing well. There’s nothing to worry about anymore.”


    His eyes widened at my words—relief lighting his face for a heartbeat before it morphed into something more turbulent.


    His fists clenched at his sides as he gritted out, “Arnon? He knew? He kept this from me? Why didn’t he tell me the truth? I swear, I’ll make him regret it!”


    “No—don’t!” I caught his arm quickly, trying to soothe him.


    “Don’t me Arnon. I asked him to keep it secret. Things wereplicated back then, and I didn’t want anyone to know where they were—not even you. He was only helping me. Please, Bryan. Don’t take it out on him.”


    His jaw tensed, his chest still rising with restrained emotion. But after a long pause, he tilted his chin, a flicker of amused pride lighting his eyes.


    “Fine. For your sake, I’ll let him go.”


    I let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”


    But then, a smirk curled at the edge of his lips—mischievous and utterly Bryan.


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