Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 97: Fool Me Thrice
Abby

The room is dead silent when Karl finishes telling his story. I’m in utter shock, and I think he is, too. In a

way, now that I think of it, it all makes sense. And yet, all these years, neither of us ever saw it coming.

“So your butler…” I pause, swallowing. “Conspired with your secretary to sow discord between us?”

Karl nods quietly. “It appears so,” he murmurs.

In a way, I feel a sense of understanding wash over me. And yet, it doesn’t completely absolve Karl of

his sins. No matter how much Gianna sunk her claws in over the years, he still did what he did by

giving those rare ingredients to Adam. And for that, I still don’t know if I can ever forgive him.

As though reading my mind, Karl’s eyes lock onto mine, and there’s an intensity in them that I haven’t

seen in years. His gaze is heavy, but it’s also completely genuine.

“I know that I never should have gone against you, Abby. I’ve messed up, and I’m sorry,” he says

quietly. “And I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you’ll allow me.”

My chest feels like it’s been hollowed out, replaced with a cavern of disbelief and mistrust. Could this

really be the man who turned my life upside down?

“Sorry?” I find myself hissing. “You really think a simple apology can make this right? Regardless of

what Gianna and Gerald did, you still gave my ex rare ingredients behind my back to make him leave

me, Karl. That can’t be forgiven.”

His jaw tightens. “No,” he admits, his voice barely more than a whisper. “I know that there’s no way I

can undo the past, but I can try to make the future better. For you, and for your career.”

A part of me, a part I don’t want to acknowledge, wants to believe him. But the other part, the part that

remembers every night I spent alone, every tear shed in solitude, screams at me to keep my guard up.

“You’ve made a mess, Karl,” I say, controlling the tremor in my voice. “A mess that you expect me to

about your scheming secretary and butler? You

fired them, everything’s just going to be

he says, shaking his head. “I don’t expect you to clean up my mess. But I’d like the chance

part of the solution,

lie, the deceit, but all I see is a man broken by his own decisions,

What’s the harm in letting him help

as

gravity of my

until the cook-off is over, because I need the extra help around here. And

distance.”

just thrown him a lifeline.

really think I’d still go with you if

a host of emotions flash through his eyes.

settle on acceptance. “You’re right,” he

say, turning away to hide the complicated swirl of emotions threatening to

Karl?”

asks, a glimmer of hope lighting up his

make me

his eyes searching mine as if he could find the solution to all

you

a last lingering glance, he walks away, leaving

my thoughts.

…

he could return to

to let Karl back into my life yet again—albeit at

the dumbest thing I’ve ever done, and honestly,

news to Chloe when I see her next. No doubt she’ll be furious with

and Karl. I can still barely convince myself that I’m

decision here, so how can I convince

the restaurant door chimes, signaling the arrival of a guest.

the host stand reveals Mr. Thompson, the manager of

shuffling his way in.

mask the turmoil of emotions bubbling

brings you

smiles, his eyes filled with an uncomfortable blend of apology and

May I speak

to follow me. Once we’re in my office, I let him take the

carrying the weight of the world

change to the cook-off,”