Chapter 106
Keaton understood Paolo’s nature better than anyone.
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Paolo never left a single loose end. The only reason Keaton was still alive was because Paolo needed him–and those close to him–as bait.
So Keaton quietly stayed in Vancouver with Kelly, training her in every martial art he knew, even bringing her into Kingswell
to anyone. Just come here when you
“Remember,” he told her firmly, “never breathe a word about the prince–or about me-
can.”
She stared at him with concern.
“Father, are you going to be all right?”
Keaton gave a casual shrug.
“I’m just an old cripple living out his days. I’ll be fine as long as I don’t draw attention to myself.”
A shadow flickered across Kelly’s face.
“Father… where did you send Alex?”
Keaton’s gaze shifted to the door, aware that Paolo was almost certainly listening from the shadows.
“This isn’t the right time to talk about it. If fate wills it, you’ll see him again.”
In truth, Keaton knew Paolo was level 110–strong enough that the prince would have no hope of surviving unless his own level rose beyond Paolo’s.
Despite Keaton’s fondest wish for Alex never to go looking for his past, he knew in his bones that if Alex did, Paolo would come.
And when that day arrived, Keaton would have no choice but to fight one last time.
During the last fight, Keaton had drawn upon the final embers of his life force.
He’d salvaged enough strength to wound Paolo with one desperate strike.
He had been prepared to give his last breath in a battle fueled by his burning life energy.
And now he was totally crippled–yet not dead.
Alex woke with a start, heart pounding from his memories.
Night had fallen, the thick canopy of trees rustling in the cool breeze.
He was still lying beside the faint embers of a dying campfire; the old man dozed nearby.
Kelly, however, remained wide awake, carefully tending to them both.
He forced out a hoarse whisper. “How long was I out?”
“Three days and four nights.” Her voice was calm but tinged with worry.
She offered him a piece of fried fish on a stick, and he took it gratefully, hunger churning in his stomach.
They sat beneath the moonlight, chewing in thoughtful silence.
An owl’s distant call echoed among the trees, each rustle and chirp underscoring the tension neither of them spoke aloud.
Eventually, Alex broke the hush.
“About a decade ago… we sat like this, eating under the stars.”
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pter 106
Kelly’s eyes flicked toward the fire. “You remember?”
“Just pieces,” he admitted. “It’s all fragments right now.”
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A memory tugged at Alex’s heart: the promise he and Kelly had once made as children. He cleared his throat and said softly, “About our childhood promise…‘
Kelly’s gaze hardened. “Don’t start something you’ll regret later.
Her words were blunt, meant to wound, and he could hear the tremor in her voice.
“But I promised you-”
Kelly’s gaze dropped to the glowing embers of the fire. “Promises are only as strong as the person who gives them. And you are not.”
Alex understood that much.
“We were just kids, Alex. We didn’t know how complicated life could get. Don’t… don’t do this.”
He caught the grief in her eyes, saw the tears she was fighting.
His heart twisted painfully. He knew his priority was uncovering his past; it had become all–consuming. He didn’t have anything to offer Kelly right now.
Perhaps it was kinder to leave their promise untouched than to break it for good.
Alex swallowed hard. “I’m sorry.”
Kelly’s mouth set in a grim line.
“Oh? Sorry you ever made that promise to someone like me? A nobody guard?“”
Her voice cracked on the last word.
Alex froze, agony roiling in his chest. “What? No-”
She turned to face him, sorrow burning behind her eyes.
“You’re a prince, Alex. You remember that now. Me? I’m nothing. Of course you regret it.”
She was trembling, as though the weight of her emotions might shatter her from within.
He wanted to protest, to tell her it was never about rank or pride.
But every part of him screamed that the timing was all wrong.
That any comfort he offered now would just be a fragile bandage over a deeper wound.
Kelly’s face went cold with resignation. “I understand,” she said quietly. “I know where I stand.”
Her sadness was palpable, and Alex felt paralyzed by his own guilt
He yearned to close the distance between them, to hold her and tell her how much he wished things could be different.
But his words stuck in his throat, and her grief acted like a shield, holding him at arm’s length.
“So much of life is lost in waiting,” Kelly whispered.
A log in the fire split with a sharp crack, sparks dancing into the night sky. The only sound that lingered after was the quiet echo of two hearts breaking in tandem.
Because how could he promise a future to her when he wasn’t even sure he had one?
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Chapter 106
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So the night passed in strained silence, their unspoken longings defting like ashes, neither willing to take that final step toward
the other.
The following day…
Alex found himself back at Sophia’s apartment, fatigue bearing down on him as though the events in the forest had stolen what little peace he had left.
Sophia’s sharp voice called from the living room: “So you spent three whole nights with Kelly Kingston?”
He met her gaze, refusing to flinch. “Yes.”
She folded her arms across her chest, her tone like ice. “Mind explaining why?”
Alex just shook his head, unwilling to reveal secrets tied to Kingswell. “You wouldn’t understand.”
Sophia’s eyes flashed.
“What else am I supposed to think? You running around with some wealthy woman–did you sleep with her? Are you just after her money?”
He narrowed his eyes. “You sound jealous,” he said quietly.
Her cheeks flamed.
“Jealous? Don’t flatter yourself. Who do you think you
are?”
“Then why do you care so much?” he pressed, voice low.
Sophia’s composure seemed to falter, confusion warring with anger on her face.
“You seduced Lyra before, and now Kelly Kingston, too? I am just worried about how it affects our Kingston and Lancaster arrangement.”
Before she could respond, the door crashed open, and Florence stormed in like a fury unchained.
She stabbed a finger at Alex, eyes blazing with righteous outrage.
“You bastard! You spent the night with Kelly! The photos are all over the internet–how dare you come slinking back here?” She spun toward Sophia, her voice rising with rage.
“Sophia, why are you still married to him? Just divorce him! And if he won’t agree, I’ll have him beaten to a pulp and thrown out!”
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