Chapter 312 Epilogue: Ka and Calvin I

    +2 Bonus

    “Ka, you’re finally back!” Matilda Lewis, Ka’s mother, beamed with joy, her voice warm with relief.

    Ka set her suitcase down, her eyes sweeping the room for her father’s familiar figure.

    Matilda tapped her forehead yfully. “Don’t bother looking. Your dad and grandpa are out.”

    “What, scared they’ll give you a hard time?” she teased.

    Ka wrapped her arms around her mother’s, her voice softening into a yful whine. “Mom, I missed you guys so much.”

    “Where’s Mark? Still stuck at the office?” Ka asked as she

    noticed her older brother was also not home.

    Matilda chuckled, “You know your brother. He’s a workaholic.”

    As if on cue, the door opened. Mark Lewis stepped in, and the moment his eyesnded on Ka, he froze.

    “Mark! Surprised?” Ka squealed, practically bouncing with axatement.

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    Chapter 312 Epilogue: Ka and Calvin I

    13

    Mark opened his arms wide, pulling her into a bear hug.

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    “Ka, you finally decided toe back,” he said, his voice thick with affection and a hint of teasing.

    Ka’s nose stung, tears pricking her eyes. “I know I was a bit wild before. But I’m done chasing that superstar dream. I’m home for good.”

    Growing up, Ka and Mark had always been thick as thieves.

    Every mess she’d made, Mark had cleaned up.

    She leaned on him more than anyone, and Mark knew her better than she sometimes knew herself.

    “Anyone give you trouble back there?” Mark asked, his tone shifting to protective concern.

    Ka swiped at her eyes, forcing augh. “What? You think I’m that easy to push around?”

    Deep down, though, she knew the truth.

    She had run away. From the ruthlesspetition, from the heartbreak, from the endless exhaustion. She had fled.

    2M9m,

    I’m starving for your cooking,” Ka said, eager to

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    Chapter 312 Epilogue: Ka and Calvin I

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    change the subject.

    Matilda’s face lit up. “Alright, I’m rolling up my sleeves tonight.”

    Soon, the living room was quiet; just Ka and Mark were left.

    “Spill it, Ka. What’s going on?” Mark’s voice was firm but still gentle.

    “You told us to give you a few years to make it on your own. We agreed–on one condition. No family support, total independence. And you’ve stuck to that. You never once asked for help.

    “But there are still two months left before the deal’s up. For you toe back early, Ka… something must’ve happened.”

    Ka sighed. Mark knew her too well–there was no hiding

    from him.

    When she’d left, she’d made one condition: she’d call home regrly, but they weren’t to check up on her,

    She believed that true freedom meant living without the family’s watchful eyes.

    world 96:37

    matter how tough things got in the cutthroat world of showbiz, she’d never ask for her family’s help.

    Chapter 312 Epilogue: Ka and Calvin I

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    No one there, not even Calvin, knew she came from wealth.

    Mark’s jaw tightened at the thought of his sister being hurt. “What happened?” he pressed.

    “Nothing,” Ka said lightly, brushing it off. “The industry’s all about connections and cash. Without a big backer, you’re stuck. I couldn’t hack it, so I came home.”

    Mark’s eyes narrowed, unconvinced. “That’s it?”

    Ka let out a long breath. “Fine. I had a boyfriend. Things ended messily, and my career was going nowhere.

    “So, I figured it was time toe back.”

    Mark leaned forward, his voice sharp. “Boyfriend? Who is he? Where’s he from? Did he treat you badly? Cheat on you?”

    Ka rolled her eyes, exasperated. “It’s over, Mark. You’re not going to track him down and beat him up.”

    Mark raised an eyebrow, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Why not? Is his family too powerful for me to take a swing?”

    Ka groaned, halfughing.

    “Oh,e on, it’s not about that. We’re done, and I don’t want 4/7

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    Chapter 312 Epilogue: Ka and Calvin I

    to see him again. Can we just drop it?”

    She smiled, but Mark could tell it didn’t reach her heart.

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    He frowned, relenting with a sigh. “Fine. But if that guy shows up here, I’m not holding back. Don’t you dare try to stop me.”

    Ka’sugh was genuine this time. “No worries. He’s noting.”

    Calvin had hounded her, begging to get back together.

    But to Ka, his words had always rung hollow.

    She believed their broken rtionship was beyond repair, and she knew clinging to it would only breed resentment.

    Ka knew how this kind of thing worked. Better to let go set them both free.

    and

    Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo

    When Ka’s father and grandfather returned, their faces lit up at the sight of her.

    “Ka, you’re home. That’s what matters,” her grandfather, John Lewis, said with a warm smile.

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    Her father, Ellen Lewis, grumbled, though his eyes betrayed

    Chapter 312 Epilogue: Ka and Calvin I

    his relief. “Told you it was a waste of time going out there.”

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    “Enough of that,” Matilda snapped, her tone sharp but fond.

    All in all, Ka’s first dinner back home was warm and lively, filled withughter and familiar bickering.

    The only one brooding was Mark, his mind elsewhere.

    Later, he stared at an email from his assistant, his gaze icy.

    Calvin Barnes, iright/ii? /iiSo/ii, /iiyou’re /ithe ione /iiwho /ihurt imy /isister.

    *****

    Ka sat down with her family to discuss her ns.

    “Mom, Dad, I don’t want to join thepany. I’m thinking of opening a clothing store with a friend,” she said.

    “I’ll invest, and she’ll handle the design and operations.”

    Her uncle’s family ran the familypany, with Mark deeply involved, and Ka had no interest in squeezing into that world.

    She wasn’t cut out for management and didn’t want to just coast through a desk job.

    €ast

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    &

    Beforeing home, a friend had pitched the store idea, asking if she’d like to invest.

    Ka thought it sounded perfect.

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    She could lend a hand, put in some money, and still have time to enjoy life.

    Mark shrugged, his expression softening. “Do what makes you happy. Whatever you want, I’m behind you.”

    Ka’s heart warmed.

    Mark was always her biggest cheerleader, no questions asked.

    Ellen and Matilda didn’t object either, trusting her to find her own path.