Chapter: 14

Empty-handed?

He thought of the opulent life he had given her. Could she really leave it all behind?

A disquieting confusion crept over Alan, yet he kept his composure icy. "I know you too well. You're playing a game, thinking you'll still be able to return to me post-divorce. It won't work! Admit you're wrong now, and I'll act as though none of this ever happened."

A laugh escaped Kaitlin, her smile enchanting, briefly distracting Alan.

Her following words, however, turned his face a deep shade of red.

“Never. From this moment, whether I live or die, it no longer concerns you. We are now nothing more than strangers."

As the tension between Kaitlin and Alan peaked, the entrance to the villa burst into activity.

The clicking of high heels heralded Lilliana's arrival; she was carrying breakfast.

Unknown to many, she had embedded a maid within the staff as her informant, keeping her abreast of all developments within the Hewitt family's estate.

"Alan, Kaitlin, what are you discussing? Hope I'm not intruding?"

Lilliana inquired, her face the picture of innocence.

Kaitlin, unable to stomach Lilliana's feigned naivety, felt a wave of disgust.

"Actually, you are interrupting," she snapped back.

Lilliana's eyes widened in mock astonishment. She clearly didn't anticipate Kaitlin's boldness, especially not in Alan's presence.

Edging closer to Alan, she pushed tears out.

“Alan, I truly didn't intend to intrude. It's just I've been haunted by dreams of Ashley lately. She cried, claiming you fell for someone else. That's why I needed to speak with you."

Her voice trailed off, laced with sorrow.

The mention of his beloved rattled Alan, his face clouding over.

“What more did you dream about? Stop crying, Lilliana."

Wiping her eyes, Lilliana looked up, her gaze watery but hopeful.

"Alan, you wouldn't really fall in love with someone else, would you? Maybe it's because that day was the anniversary of Ashley's passing. She had missed me so much, she came to me in dreams."

Alan, frustrated by the lack of concrete information, sighed deeply.

"I won't fall for someone else, Lilliana. If Ashley visits your dreams again, reassure her for me, will you?"

Lilliana nodded, her obedience clear. “I get it, Alan. You really are one of the good ones."