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 Adam? What about your scheming secretary and butler?

everything’s just going to

you to clean up my mess.

of

for the lie, the deceit, but all I see is a

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

long as I keep my

the gravity of my decision. “You can return to the

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

distance.”

face softens, as if I’ve just thrown him a lifeline. “And

really think I’d still go

I can see a host of emotions flash through his

to settle on acceptance. “You’re right,” he murmurs. “I’m

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

Karl?”

asks, a glimmer of hope lighting

me regret

he could find the solution to all his mistakes there. “Thank

murmurs. “I won’t let you down. Not

to speak. With a last lingering

my thoughts.

…

could return

back into my life yet again—albeit at

the dumbest thing I’ve ever done, and honestly, I’m mostly concerned about

Chloe when I see her next. No doubt she’ll be furious with me, and there

between her and Karl. I can still barely convince myself

here, so how can I convince

of a guest. The sound snaps

glance up from the host stand reveals Mr. Thompson, the manager of the

shuffling his way in.

hello, Mr. Thompson,” I greet, trying to mask the turmoil of emotions bubbling

brings you

blend of apology and

anything, Abby. May I

in my office, I let

as if carrying the weight of the world on

to the cook-off,” he