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

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

To be part of the solution, not the

I see is a

redemption. I sigh. What’s the harm in letting him help at the restaurant,

up? As long as I keep my distance,

each word heavy with the gravity of my decision. “You can return to the restaurant.

is over, because I need the extra help around here. And I’ll be

distance.”

face softens, as if I’ve just thrown

go with

and I can see a host of emotions flash

“You’re right,” he murmurs. “I’m

turning away to hide the complicated

Karl?”

asks, a glimmer of hope lighting

me regret

mine as if he could find the

murmurs. “I won’t let you

trusting myself to speak. With a last

my thoughts.

…

Karl he could return to the restaurant. I’m still digesting the

into my life yet

ever done, and honestly,

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

a physical altercation between her and Karl. I can still barely convince myself that I’m

how can

signaling the arrival of a guest. The sound snaps me out

the host stand reveals

shuffling his way in.

to mask the turmoil of emotions

brings

uncomfortable blend of apology and professionalism.

anything, Abby. May I speak with

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

exhaling as if carrying the weight of the world on his

change to the cook-off,” he starts, his words measured,