Chapter: 137

Alan paused to reflect, then nodded at Phoebe. “I'll explain everything to Kaitlin. Thanks for the heads-up."

Phoebe finally let out a sigh of relief and moved out of the way.

"Go ahead, have a meaningful conversation."

Alan gave a nod and proceeded into the office.

Kaitlin, mistaking him for Phoebe, didn't bother looking up. “Ease up, I'm nearly finished."

Only when a bouquet of roses appeared on her desk did she realize her error. She glanced up, shot Alan a quick look, then returned her gaze to her work. “Why are you here?"

"Kaitlin, I just wanted to see you. Keep doing your thing; I'll just hang out here and wait."

Alan retreated to the couch and settled in, his eyes fixed on Kaitlin.

She was a vision of concentration and intellect, thoroughly engrossing.

Kaitlin continued to ignore him, focusing on completing her sketches and forwarding them to Phoebe.

Phoebe responded immediately with a message loaded with juicy tidbits.

“How's the conversation unfolding? Are you guys planning a candlelit dinner tonight?"

"I'm heading home to rest."

Kaitlin sent the message and shut the chat window.

Stretching, she shot Alan an icy glare. "So, you've patched things up with Ashley and now you've found time for me?"

Her tone was sharp.

Alan got up and stepped toward her, his tone earnest. "Kaitlin, whatever you think is happening with Ashley. It's history. You're the one I care about now."

He paused before adding, "And I've told her as much."

Kaitlin could hear the truth in his words. Just as she was about to smile, her eyes caught a suspicious red stain on his shirt.

Kaitlin abruptly rose, stepped closer, and scrutinized the mark on Alan's shirt.

She dabbed it with her fingertip, which came away stained with red— undeniably Lipstick.

Alan, caught off guard, scoured his memory. It had to have happened when Ashley stumbled.

“It's Ashley's lipstick, right?" Kaitlin didn't mask her skepticism as she pinpointed the source.

"Kaitlin, it was purely accidental..." Alan began, but Kaitlin dismissed his words with a swift wave of her hand.