Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

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

about Adam? What about your scheming secretary and butler? You think just

fired them, everything’s just going to

expect you to clean up my mess. But I’d like the

To be part of the solution, not

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

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

As long as

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

until the cook-off is over, because I need the extra help

distance.”

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

think I’d still go with you if

I can see a host of emotions flash through his eyes. Hope,

settle on acceptance. “You’re

complicated

Karl?”

a glimmer of hope lighting up his

make me regret

mine as if he could find the solution to all

murmurs. “I won’t let you down.

last lingering glance, he walks away, leaving

my thoughts.

…

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

back into my life yet again—albeit

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

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

I

here, so how can

signaling the arrival of

up from the host stand

shuffling his way in.

I greet, trying to mask the turmoil of emotions bubbling

“What brings

his eyes filled with an uncomfortable blend of apology

May I speak

in my office, I let him

if carrying the weight

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