Chapter 0156
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

your scheming secretary

just going

to

part of the

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

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

up? As long as

relent, each word heavy with the gravity of my decision. “You

need the extra

distance.”

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

“You really think I’d still go with you if

pauses, and I can see a host of emotions flash through

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

complicated swirl of emotions threatening to

Karl?”

he asks, a glimmer of hope lighting up

make me regret

nods, his eyes searching mine as if he could find the solution to all his mistakes there.

won’t let you down.

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

my thoughts.

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

Karl back into my life yet again—albeit at

be the dumbest thing I’ve ever

No

between her and Karl. I can

so how can I convince

of a guest. The sound snaps

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

shuffling his way in.

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

“What brings you

smiles, his eyes filled with an uncomfortable blend

May I

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

the weight of the world on his

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

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