Chapter 1568

[I've gone to run a family errand. Mom and Orla are at home. Find a way to slip out without them noticing.] Lucas, after reading the note, could not help but smile. He figured that since Stella woke first and neither woke him nor rushed him out, despite the risk of his being discovered in her room, it meant she still cared for him. He carefully folded the note, Stella's first to him, and pocketed it as a keepsake. As for leaving without Grace and Orla noticing, he had not even considered it. He dressed and sauntered downstairs. As expected, he ran into Grace and Orla, busy on the first floor. Last year, Lucas had spent New Year's Eve here, where Orla saw him once. Despite it being just a single encounter, Orla recognized him immediately. "Isn't that Lucas?" she asked. Lucas flashed a grin and said, "Hey there. Didn't expect you to remember me." Orla did not hide her admiration for Lucas. "With that charm and those looks, you're better than any TV star. How could I forget?" Lucas