?Chapter 1509:

A slow smile spread across Kallie’s lips. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around Jake’s neck and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. “You handle the ns. I’ll follow your lead.”

The way Jake looked at her in that moment—pure affection, unwavering devotion—made her heart swell.

Unbeknownst to them, Jete had arrived at the doorway, stopping in her tracks at the sight of their quiet moment. Her fingers curled against the frame as she…

Jete hesitated, her gaze shifting to Elma, who was happily ying in the yard. Elma was always smiling, always bright, as if her world was untouched by sorrow.

A small pang of envy bloomed in Jete’s chest. If only her parents had been like that. But such thoughts belonged in the corners of her mind, never meant to be spoken aloud. She quickly pushed them aside. Everyone here treated her well. She had no right to feel like something was missing.

About a weekter, Caitlin’s injuries had mostly healed. She had finally gotten what she wanted—a chance to see yton.

While basking in the sun in the hospital garden, Caitlin felt a familiar gaze on her. Her heartbeat stuttered. Was it real, or just her imagination ying tricks on her?

She was about to turn around when, in the next heartbeat, strong arms wrapped around her from behind.

A gasp caught in her throat. That scent—unmistakably his—engulfed her. It was really yton.

But instead of tion, Caitlin’s vision blurred with tears. At that moment, all her grievances and worries from the past days surged to the surface, breaking through the dam she had built around her heart. yton tensed at the feel of her tears, his voiceced with mock regret. “This is my fault. I should havee to see you sooner and spared you all this worry.” He held her tighter, his voice raw. “Please, don’t cry. Seeing you like this breaks my heart.”

Unable to hold back any longer, Caitlin turned in his embrace, wrapping her arms around him. But as she pressed against him, a wave of concern overtook her—he was thinner. She pulled back slightly, her hands lingering at his waist, her voice trembling with worry. “How did you get like this? You’ve been struggling, haven’t you? You’ve been carrying too much on your shoulders…”

A fresh wave of self-me washed over her. “I shouldn’t haveshed out at you. I shouldn’t have med you. Please… don’t hold it against me, okay?”

Every tale finds a home at g?lnσν???s

For a moment, yton remained silent, but when he finally spoke, his voice shifted. “Why are you saying this, Caitlin? Did someone tell you something?”

She quickly shook her head. “No, nothing like that. I just… I thought about everything. About how difficult things must have been for you. I’ve already told Kallie that I was unwell, and that’s why I stayed silent these past few days. I made it clear that this had nothing to do with anyone else.” Her voice softened, but there was conviction in her tone. “If she and Jakee after you again, I’ll stand by your side.”

yton sighed, gently running his fingers through her hair. “Don’t say that,” he murmured. “Kallie is your cousin. No matter what happens, she cares about you. She only acted out of worry, nothing more.”

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