Be was nearly pleading, but Kristian remained resolute.


    Taking her hand in his, he spoke with solemn gravity.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    “I’m deeply thankful you survived the car ident.


    If it were up to me, I’d spare you the agony of recalling those memories.


    I can handle the pain on my own.


    ”


    His words resonated with a poignant sincerity, painting him as the epitome of a devoted husband.


    Regardless of Be’s pleas, he remained tight-lipped about the ident.


    Kristian could have easily concocted some false tales to cate her, yet he feared that even a minor slip of truth might catch Matthew’s attention, prompting him to delve deeper.


    Knowing Matthew’s sharpness, he chose not to risk confrontation.


    One lie would necessitate another.


    It was wiser to leave things ambiguously addressed.


    Seeing Kristian in a gloomy mood, the others didn’t press further.


    The four shared breakfast, during which Kristian feigned interest in Ste’s recent life, his voice dripping with feigned concern.


    Heplimented her, “When I first heard about you, I was aware of your talent as a designer.


    It’s clear now you’ve inherited your mother’s ir.


    No wonder Be and I felt an instant connection when we met you.


    It’s the bond of kinship, after all.


    ”


    Ste responded with a smile, though itcked genuine warmth.


    Despite Kristian’s derations of missing her over the years, his words rang hollow to her.


    She felt no bond with Kristian, nor could she detect any genuine affection in his gaze.


    She wondered if she was overthinking, but Kristian’s smile always seemed more like a mask to her.


    Matthew casually inquired, “Have you and Be ever lived in Bysea before?”


    Despite the rxed tone of his question, Kristian detected an underlying probing nature in his words.


    Feeling uneasy and uncertain about how to respond, Kristian listened as Matthew continued, “I recall that Ste was adopted by Clint from an orphanage in Bysea.


    Did that car ident happen in Seamarsh or Dorburn?”


    The question intensified Kristian’s anxiety, causing him to sweat.


    After a brief, tense silence, Kristian chose to evade the question and replied, “I know you care deeply about Ste.


    But as I’ve mentioned earlier, I don’t want Be and Ste dredging up the past.


    Let’s drop this subject.


    Now that Ste is back with us, I’mmitted to spending the rest of my Life making amends for our lost years.


    ”


    His gaze toward Ste was paternal, filled with the relief of a father reunited with his long-lost daughter.


    To an outsider, he might appear as a deeply Loving father.


    Understanding yet persistent, Matthew said, “I get where you’reing from.


    But remember, I’m Ste’s husband and Be’s son-in-w.


    Someone tried to harm them in the past, nearly killing my wife.


    It’s crucial that I uncover who was responsible to avoid any future threats.


    If you’re hesitant, perhaps we can discuss this privately after the meal.


    ”


    Relentlessly, Matthew pushed the conversation, leaving Kristian no room to evade further.


    Cornered, Kristian feltpelled to fabricate a response.


    “Don’t worry about it.


    The people responsible for harming Be and Ste are no longer alive.


    ”


    Be and Ste looked shocked.


    “You mean the culprits are dead?” Be looked outside the door to ensure no one was passing by.


    “Did you murder them?” she asked in a muffled voice.


    With Be’s face filled with anxiety, Kristian immediately refuted, “You were gravely wounded and our child was missing.


    I couldn’t possibly be in the right state of mind to deal with those people.


    When you were finally stable, I realized I should have gotten rid of them, but after much investigation, I found out they were already taken care of.


    It could be that they were killed by another person.


    ”