She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 954:

Kristian leaned back, eyes closing for a moment. “Dig into Ellis Lambert. I want to know who he really is.”

“Give me everything you find.”

From what little he’d pieced together after losing his memory, Ellis seemed decent. Since Freya was with that guy now, he needed to find out his background. He had to protect her, even from afar.

Gerard agreed. Kristian had asked once before, but he hadn’t acted on it. This time, it wasn’t a suggestion. It was an order.

“When you’re done, head back to Jeucwell,” Kristian added. “My dad probably doesn’t want to handle the company. You’ll take over as acting president—salary doubled.”

Gerard shot him a sidelong glance. “And what about you?”

“I’ll stay in Alerith a while longer. Just… want to be close to her.” Even if he could only watch from the shadows, he wasn’t ready to leave.

Gerard didn’t ask who Kristian was talking about; he knew exactly who it was. He wanted to say something comforting, something practical, something to make it better. But nothing seemed right.

When they arrived at the apartment complex, Kristian asked him to stop the car. He stepped out, walked to a nearby convenience store, and picked up a few things before heading inside.

Once home, he dismissed Gerard after confirming a set of instructions with him, but the man wasn’t having any of it.

“I’ll stay here and keep an eye on you. I can’t leave you like this.”

Kristian hesitated but didn’t push him to leave.

Knowing Kristian hadn’t eaten all day, Gerard quietly prepared a meal and placed it in front of him. But Kristian didn’t touch it. He wasn’t hungry. Couldn’t bring himself to eat.

“You should at least get out of those wet clothes,” Gerard said, his tone hovering between concern and gentle nagging. “You’ll catch a cold.” The room was heated, but still—it was better to change out of those wet clothes.

Kristian didn’t move. After a pause, he reached into his coat and pulled out the crumpled pack of cigarettes and lighter he’d bought on impulse at the convenience store—some desperate attempt to fill the void clawing at his chest. He lit one and took a drag.

Gerard was shocked.

Kristian was smoking?noveldrama

He stared in disbelief. The Kristian he knew never touched cigarettes. Their office had a strict no-smoking policy to avoid secondhand exposure, and Kristian had always been one of its most vocal enforcers. So why now?

A harsh cough broke the silence. Kristian wheezed, doubled over, choking on the smoke.

Gerard sighed, stepped over, plucked the cigarette from his fingers, and stubbed it out in the trash. “If you don’t smoke, don’t start. It’s bad for your health.”

Kristian didn’t respond. He silently tossed the pack and lighter into the bin. The taste still made him sick.

“Want a drink? I can get one,” Gerard offered, trying to meet him where he was.

Kristian shook his head, eyes dim with quiet despair. “No.”

Alcohol wouldn’t help. The deeper the haze, the stronger the craving. He might be able to hold back now—stay away, not call Freya, not disturb her new life—but if he got drunk? That restraint would vanish. He stared out the window, his thoughts tangled in the night.

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