?Chapter 491:


    “You can’t rein her in?” he asked, feeling just a little off bnce.


    Kristian said nothing, climbed into his car, started the engine, and drove off without another word.


    Felipe stared up at the hotel onest time, then turned and left. Originally, he hade to ask Freya when Farrah might return and to find out what she’d been up totely.


    But now, Kristian’s words echoed loudly in his mind. Asking would be pointless.


    Freya wasn’t someone who gave in easily. And more than that—she was a force to be reckoned with.


    Back at the hotel, Liam had already sent Lionel home.


    Most of the guests had gone, but Isaac and Melinda remained, seemingly waiting for Kristian.


    Kristian paused, then made his way over with his usual poise. “Why haven’t you left yet?”


    “You walked Freya and her father back to their hotel?” Melinda asked. A flicker of emotion passed through Kristian’s eyes, but his voice remained gentle.


    “Yes.”


    She watched him closely. As his mother, she understood him more than anyone else could.


    She said nothing more then—just decided to head home first. During the ride, with Kristian behind the wheel and Isaac and Melinda seated in the back, silence hung heavy until Melinda finally spoke, her tone cautious.


    “Kristian.”


    Your source of stories: gαlnσν??s.c??m


    “Are you still nning on going to Alerith?” she asked, beating around the bush.


    But he understood what she really meant. “Yes.”


    “But Freya…” Melinda hesitated. She wanted to talk him out of it, but the words didn’te easily.


    She had seen clearly that Freya was keeping her distance now. The warmth she once had for Kristian had cooled.


    If he kept pushing, he might just push her further away.


    “I know what I’m doing,” Kristian said quietly. He understood what she was trying to say, but he wasn’t ready to give up just yet. Even if Freya acted like he didn’t exist, he still wanted to try.


    At the very least, he needed to uncover whoever had been pulling the strings behind all the chaos.


    And if, after that, she still wanted nothing to do with him, then he’d step away.


    Melinda and Isaac exchanged a nce but didn’t press further. This was their son’s path to walk.


    That night, it was obvious something was weighing on Kristian. He still behaved the same—gently coaxing Lionel to rest early.


    But anyone who paid attention could see the storm simmering beneath his calm surface.


    After finishing his usual duties and retreating to his room, Lionel, still not asleep, let out a heavy sigh. “I warned him he’d regret that divorce, but he never believed me.”


    “Everyone’s got to stumble before they grow,” Liam said, ever the optimist. “It might not be such a bad thing.” No one’s life was without cracks.


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