NovelEnglish
Chapter 0128
“Smells amazing in here,” Karl says as he walks in, his eyes meeting mine for a moment before landing
on the pot. “Whatcha cooking?”
“Spaghetti Bolognese,” I reply, stirring the pot once more. “I remember it was one of your favorites.”
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“Still is,” he grins, moving closer. “Need any help?”
I look at him, momentarily caught off guard. It would be so easy to say yes, to let him slide back into
that role he once played so perfectly. But I hesitate, unsure. I’m still upset about earlier, about finding
out that he never cleared my name. But at the same time, I can’t bring myself to be too mad at him—
not when he so willingly agreed to set the record straight. And not when we’re in our old home together,
and the nostalgia is taking over me.
Finally, I nod. “Could you chop those mushrooms for me?”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHe grabs a knife and starts slicing, his movements as fluid as they always were. For a brief moment,
the kitchen feels like it used to—full of life, laughter, and the smell of delicious food.
As we work side by side, I can’t help but marvel at how well we function together. The synergy is still
there, as if time hasn’t changed anything. I find myself imagining what it would be like to have him by
my side at the competition.
He’d be the perfect sous chef—steady, reliable, intuitive…
My lips part, prepared to ask him if he would join me for the competition. But at the last moment, I close
them, shaking my head to myself.
What am I thinking? This is just dinner, nothing more.
“Abby?” Karl asks, snapping me back to reality. “You good? You looked like you were about to say
something.”
I shake my head, glancing away. “Nope. Nothing.”
Finally, the meal is ready. We sit down at the dining table, a space that once hosted countless meals,
countless memories. The spaghetti is tender, the sauce rich and savory.
“This is incredible, Abby,” Karl says after the first bite, looking up at me with sincerity in his eyes.
“Thank you,” I reply, my heart swelling at the compliment. There’s a lot unsaid between us, but for the
moment, the food says it all.
We drink red wine, each sip easing away the day’s worries. Conversation flows easily after the first few
sips, filling the room with an ambiance that’s oddly intoxicating.
“I miss this,” he says softly as he refills my glass. “I miss us.”
His words hit me like a tidal wave, drowning all the caution and restraint I’ve been holding onto. I look
at him, really look, and see the man who once was my everything. For a heartbeat, I want to let go, to
bridge the distance between us in a way words never could.
But I can’t.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“It’s getting late,” I murmur, pushing back my chair abruptly. “I should head to bed.”
He looks at me, eyes searching, but doesn’t push. “Alright. I’ll clean up. Goodnight, Abby.”
“Goodnight, Karl.”
With a terse smile, I stand and turn, heading for the door. But at the last moment, Karl’s voice reaches
me.
“Abby. Wait.”
There’s something in his tone. Something… hopeful? I pause, shooting him a glance over my shoulder.
“What is it, Karl?”
As I meet his gaze, I can see something soft there. It’s as if he wants to close the distance between us,
but he doesn’t. I watch as he glances away, reverting his attention to his glass of wine.
“Nothing,” he says, shaking his head slightly. “Nevermind. Goodnight, Abby.”
I pause, puzzled by his words. But, not wanting to create more tension, I nod quietly and slip out of the
room. And in fact, it’s not until I’m back in my old room that I finally let out a shaky breath and allow the
tear that I’ve been holding in to roll down my cheek.
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