Novel Squares
53
“So you’ve forgiven her?” Lara asked, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of apprehension.
“It’s not about forgiveness. If I hate her, she probably hates me more,” Alpha Kilian explained, his tone laced with regret and understanding. “After all, she was the biggest victim.”
Lara’s expression shifted awkwardly, but she plastered on a forced smile. “You’re starting to defend her now… doesn’t it mean that you have forgiven her?”
“You don’t understand, Lara. Marriage cannot be explained clearly with a few sentences,” Alpha Kilian replied, his voice tinged with a weariness that only those who have walked a difficult path would understand.
“Yeah, I don’t understand. After all, I’ve never experienced it. But I can tell that you’re treating her differently now,” Lara said, her eyes locked onto Alpha Kilian, desperately searching for any sign of emotion or contradiction.
She was determined to uncover the truth, no matter how small or subtle it may be.
Yet, there was nothing.
Alpha Kilian did not deny her observation.
Lara diverted her gaze, attempting to cloak her disappointment. She knew she should trust Alpha Kilian, but doubt still clung to her like a shadow.
“Why am I still suspecting him?” she thought, torn between her desire for answers and her faith in him.
Letting out a deep breath, Lara decided to change the topic. “Okay, let’s stop talking about this. When are you free, Alpha Kilian? My parents would like to treat you to a meal to express their gratitude. If you keep refusing to go, they might start to wonder about how I’m treated here.”
As the conversation shifted, Alpha Kilian visibly relaxed. He glanced at the time and suggested, “What about tomorrow night?”
“Are you busy during the day?” Lara inquired, still hoping for a clue, a flicker of emotion in his eyes.
“I’m going to Baykeep for a business trip and will only be back at four in the afternoon,” Alpha Kilian replied.
Lara nodded, a smile gracing her lips. “Tomorrow night, then. Don’t stand us up anymore! Otherwise, my parents will bring me away.”
Alpha Kilian raised an eyebrow and studied her. “Be honest. Are your parents not worried about leaving you here?”
“Of course, they’re worried! But if I can find a boyfriend, they might be more relieved,” Lara hinted, stealing a covert glance at him.
Alpha Kilian pondered for a moment, his expression sincere. “You’ll definitely find a good man.”
Although Lara’s heart sank, she maintained her smile. “I think so too.”
Just then, Alpha Kilian’s phone rang, and his hesitation was evident when he saw that it was Alpha King Larry calling.
“Is it Old Alpha Morris?” he asked, seeking confirmation.
Alpha Kilian nodded, silently answering the call.
“You brat! Why didn’t you tell me that Nelly got injured?” Alpha King Larry’s voice boomed through the phone, a mix of concern and anger.
Alpha Kilian quickly moved the phone away from his ear, wincing at the stern scolding he received. Once the reprimand was over, he explained, “It’s not a serious injury. She just got cut by a knife.”
“What do you mean, she just got cut by a knife? Are you so heartless?” Alpha King Larry demanded, his tone unrelenting.
Alpha Kilian knew there was no escaping this scolding, no matter how he defended himself.
“How did Nelly get injured? What happened?” Alpha King Larry’s anger subsided, replaced by genuine worry as he inquired further.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, Alpha Kilian knew he had to be honest with Alpha King Larry. There was no hiding the truth.
As Alpha King Larry listened to the events, his fury burned brighter. “How dare that b*stard covet Nelly? Is he tired of living? Where is he now?”
“Pay attention to your health. Don’t let your blood pressure rise again,” Alpha Kilian warned, concern seeping into his voice.
“My blood pressure will rise if I don’t kill him! Where is he? I must seek justice for Nelly!” Alpha King Larry shouted angrily.
“You’re a step too late. He has already been arrested,” Alpha Kilian revealed.
“Huh? So fast?” Alpha King Larry’s anger deflated, leaving him feeling foolish. He asked, “How did he get arrested?”
“Fabian has a lot of evidence, so he just did what was right. He passed everything to the police,” Alpha Kilian explained matter-of-factly.
Alpha King Larry’s shock was evident. If Fabian got involved, it meant that Alpha Kilian had instructed him to do so. Why else would Fabian have any connection to the situation?
A chuckle escaped Alpha King Larry’s lips. “You brat. You’ve finally done something humane.”
“It’s got nothing to do with me,” Alpha Kilian insisted.
“Stop denying it! Nelly has nothing to do with Fabian. You’re bad at talking. That’s why you’re so unpopular with the girls!” Alpha King Larry teased.
“I’m very popular with the girls!” Alpha Kilian emphasized, a hint of amusement coloring his voice.
“Really? Find a granddaughter-in-law for me quickly, then!” Alpha King Larry challenged.
“That’s too much…” Alpha Kilian muttered.
“You only know how to exaggerate,” grumbled Alpha King Larry, abandoning the argument.
Deciding not to press further, Alpha Kilian spoke up. “Don’t inform Old Mr. Jackson about this, or he’ll be worried. Also, I didn’t tell anyone about this.”
“Yeah, let’s not say anything hastily. If we make a huge deal over something that never happened, we might ruin Nelly’s reputation,” Alpha King Larry agreed.
“Yeah,” Alpha Kilian confirmed.
“Fine. You’ve finally done something good, brat. Since he has already been punished, I have nothing to worry about. I’ll visit Nelly someday,” Alpha King Larry declared.
“Considering your health, you should rest at home,” Alpha Kilian advised.
“No way! If I can’t confirm that Nelly is fine, I will not feel relieved,” Alpha King Larry insisted.Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
“She has already returned to work!” Alpha Kilian informed.
After a moment of contemplation, Alpha King Larry instructed, “Send the address of her workplace to me. I’ll visit her at her office.”
“Are you sure? If you go, you’ll…” Alpha Kilian began, only to be interrupted.
“Fine, I’ll send you the address,” he conceded.
“You’re right. You shouldn’t go, or Nelly might start to ignore me too,” Alpha King Larry mused.
Alpha Kilian was left speechless.
“That’s it. I’m hanging up,” Alpha King Larry stated.
As Alpha Kilian was about to end the call, Alpha King Larry unexpectedly asked, “Does Nelly know that you did this?”
“About Dave?” Alpha Kilian clarified.
“Yeah.”
“She knows.”
“Was she very touched?”
Recalling Nelly’s reaction, Alpha Kilian couldn’t help but smirk mockingly. “She told me to mind my own business and that she could’ve settled it herself.”
A silence fell between them before Alpha King Larry praised, “That’s just like Nelly’s personality. She’s so independent. Very good!”
Alpha Kilian was left speechless, pondering over the irony of his situation. Whose grandpa was Alpha King Larry, after all?