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

Adam? What about your scheming secretary and butler?

them, everything’s just going to be

don’t expect you to clean up my mess. But

part of the solution, not the

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

harm in letting him help at the

long as I keep my distance,

of my decision.

the extra help around here.

distance.”

I’ve just thrown him a lifeline. “And

still go with you if I

host of emotions flash through his eyes. Hope, dismay,

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

complicated swirl of emotions threatening

Karl?”

a glimmer of hope lighting up

me regret

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

“I won’t let you down.

trusting myself to speak. With a last lingering glance, he walks

my thoughts.

…

since I told Karl he could return to the restaurant.

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

I’ve ever done, and

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

altercation between her and Karl. I can still

so how

chimes, signaling the arrival of a guest. The sound snaps

A glance up from the host stand reveals Mr. Thompson, the

shuffling his way in.

hello, Mr. Thompson,” I greet, trying to mask the

“What brings you

with an uncomfortable blend

May I

gesturing for him to follow me. Once we’re in my office,

down, exhaling as if carrying the weight of the

last-minute change to the cook-off,” he starts,