Chapter 141
+25 BONUS
Kris agreed with the doctor to stay for a few more hours and leave in the evening. Luisa went ahead to prepare a room at the house, while Alden went to his apartment to grab a few things for him.
When it was time, Alden drove Kris to Thalassa and Luisa’s house. As they pulled up in front of the building, Kris’s heart raced.
The first time he’d been here, he’d snuck in and climbed up Thalassa’s balcony after suspecting she was the woman behind the mask. But today, he was going through the front door.
His shoulder ached despite the painkillers, but that was the least of his concerns.
He couldn’t deny he was nervous. Thalassa clearly didn’t want him here; that much was obvious. She hadn’t even returned to the hospital after leaving in the morning. Yet, despite everything, he couldn’t shake the hope that maybe, just maybe, the few days he’d be staying here would change things between them for the better.
As they reached the porch and rang the doorbell, Luisa answered with a warm smile.
“Come in, Kris. I’ve already set up one of the guest bedrooms for you,” she said cheerfully.
Her eyes went to Alden, and her cheeks flushed a deep red as she stepped aside to let them in.
Kris looked behind her, scanning the room for the face he longed to see, but Thalassa was nowhere in sight. His heart sank. Why had he expected her to welcome him when she didn’t even want him in her house?
Sighing, he and Alden entered, with Alden carrying the duffle bag that held Kris’s few belongings.
“Thalassa isn’t back yet,” Luisa said, noticing the way Kris’s eyes continued to search the room. “She had a bit of a hold–up at the office.”
Or maybe she’s just avoiding me, Kris thought, but he forced a polite smile.
“Why don’t you go lie down for a bit, Kris? I’m almost done preparing dinner,” Luisa suggested.
Alden raised an eyebrow, his lips curled in a teasing smile. I’m starting to get jealous of the special treatment you’re giving this idiot. Is he the only one invited for dinner?”
Kris rolled his eyes, while Luisa’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. “No, of course not,” she stammered, flustered. “You’re invited too… if you want.”
“Calm down, my lady, I was just teasing you,” Alden said with a chuckle, clearly enjoying her shyness around him. “Besides, I’m glad someone else is taking care of this handy bastard. And yes, I’d love to stay for dinner.”
Luisa blushed even more as she led them upstairs to show Kris his room. It was spacious, but it contained only a king–sized bed and a plush leather couch. The only other decoration was the cream–colour paint on the walls.
And yet, it felt more like home than the bedroom he’d shared with Karen ever had–because Thalassa lived here. Even if her room was two rooms away from his.
“So, how do you plan on getting close to Thalassa again?” Alden asked, flopping onto the well–made bed.
Kris glared at him, both because the sheets were now wrinkled and because he couldn’t afford to throw himself onto the bed without his aching shoulder teaching a lesson
About thirty minutes later, Luisa returned to announce that dinner was served. They headed downstairs together, Kris’s heart sunk further as they approached the dining table. There was no sign of Thalassa.
He wanted to ask if she usually came home after dinner, but he bit his tongue. He didn’t want to make it obvious
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+25 BONUS
Chapter 141
that his main reason for accepting Luisa’s offer was to get close to Thalassa.
“What’s for dinner?” Alden asked as they took their seats at the table.
The food was already served and covered with lids, filling the air with delicious aromas.
Luisa beamed proudly. “I made my specialty–steak with bourbon garlic cream sauce.”
“Gorgeous, this smells incredible!” Alden exclaimed, lifting the lid from his plate. “I feel like I’m dining in a five- star restaurant.”
“Oh, stop,” Luisa said with a shy laugh, though her eyes sparkled.
Their flirting went unnoticed by Kris. His eyes were fixed on the hallway, his stomach tightening with anxiety.
He had ordered Smoke to have two men guard Thalassa and Luisa from a distance, with three more monitoring the house at night, so he knew Thalassa was safe. But the fact that she still hadn’t returned stung because she was clearly trying to avoid him for as long as she could.
“Dude, aren’t you going to eat?” Alden’s voice broke through Kris’s thoughts.
Snapping his attention back to the table, Kris straightened and removed the lid from his plate. He frowned when he saw that his steak had been cut into small cubes, much smaller than Alden and Luisa’s steaks.
“I cut it into smaller pieces so you wouldn’t have to worry about using a knife,” Luisa explained with a smile.
“I see.
Thank you,” Kris said slowly, unsure of how to feel about it.
Even though he appreciated Luisa’s thoughtfulness, this was making him feel like an invalid. Alden, of course, found it hilarious, bursting into laughter.
“Alden!” Luisa scolded, lightly slapping his shoulder.
“I’m sorry! It’s just funny,” Alden said, chuckling. “Maybe next time, I’ll feed him myself.”
The sound of heels clicking on the tiled floor abruptly silenced Alden’s laughter. Kris’s head snapped toward the hallway, ignoring the ache in his shoulder as he saw Thalassa appear in the hallway.
She had clearly heard them but made no move to acknowledge their presence. Without so much as a glance at the table, she walked briskly toward the stairs.
“Lassa,” Luisa called out, breaking the silence. “I made steak! Should I serve you now, or will you shower first?”
Thalassa paused, her posture stiff as she turned slightly to look at Luisa. Only at Luisa.
“No, thanks, Luisa. I already had dinner before coming home,” she replied coolly, then continued upstairs without another word.
Kris sighed.
