#Chapter 72: Making Amends
Karl

I step out of Abby’s office, my heart still pounding. It’s like a battlefield in there with emotional shrapnel

all over the place.

But I’m not naive enough to think I’m a mere bystander, oh no. I’m pretty sure I’m the d amn cannon that

fired the first shot.

“Big moment, huh?” My wolf’s voice resonates through my mind. I’m so focused on the situation

between Chloe and Abby that it almost took me by surprise.

“You could say that,” I respond. “Chloe’s not exactly my biggest fan.”

“Well, maybe this is your chance,” he suggests. “Just like you did with John. Bury the hatchet, put aside

your differences for Abby’s sake. Start over.”

“I hope so,” I reply, running a hand through my hair. “But Chloe’s different. She’s never liked me, not

even at the beginning.”

I recall a camping trip years ago, back when Abby and I were still married. Chloe was there, along with

their other friend Leah. A mix-up with the tents meant we all had to share one. G od, that was a disaster.

The memory plays out like an old film reel in my mind. Leah, as always, was as chill as ever about the

situation while Abby was fairly indifferent. But for Chloe and I, it felt like the end of the world. To share a

tent with each other? I knew for a fact that Chloe would have rather died, because she said so herself.

That night, the tent was cramped, the tension palpable. Of course, Chloe and I ended up arguing about

something st upid—how to properly set up a sleeping bag or some such nonsense.

It eventually devolved into an all-out brawl. Chloe threw a folding chair. I chased her up the tree. You

know, the usual, until Leah and Abby had to step in. They were both in stitches over the ridiculous

situation, but it was real as hell for Chloe and I. We hated each other’s guts.

was that really all Chloe’s fault?” my wolf chimes in,

mean?” I ask, genuinely

annoyed that you and Abby couldn’t

and Chloe was an easy

the nail on the head as

with Abby,

and you never have

it’ll turn out

take a deep breath, letting his wisdom settle into my bones. I

“Let’s do

buzzing with activity—customers chatting, employees hustling. A quick scan

patio tables, her arms crossed, jaw

she’s furious. This is gonna be

walk away now,” I say as I approach her. She looks up, and if

be six feet under.

she spits out, narrowing her

sit down opposite her, careful to keep a respectful distance. “We need to

want to talk to you, of

I both know that

work this out.”

raises an eyebrow, still skeptical but maybe a notch less

you feel about me, Chloe. You think I’m toxic for Abby.

want to be a better man. I’ve got a

to everyone, including you.”

as if she didn’t expect this level of self-awareness from me. “Well, look

grown a conscience.”

right?” I say, locking eyes with her. She glances away, but there’s a shift in

of her icy fortress. “You can hate me all

take it

I see a glimmer of realization. “You

know. You

on the table, and the weight of her anger seems to lift

But you need to understand, Karl. Abby just

need another one right now, especially not

brutal honesty, but she’s not wrong. If this were a few days ago, I’d

I realize that would

being a better person.

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