#Chapter 97: Fool Me Thrice

Abby The room is dead silent when Karl finishes telling his story. I’m in utter shock, and I think he is, too. In a way, now that I think of it, it all makes sense. And yet, all these years, neither of us ever saw it coming. “So your butler…” I pause, swallowing. “Conspired with your secretary to sow discord between us?” Karl nods quietly. “It appears so,” he murmurs. In a way, I feel a sense of understanding wash over me. And yet, it doesn’t completely absolve Karl of his sins. No matter how much Gianna sunk her claws in over the years, he still did what he did by giving those rare ingredients to Adam. And for that, I still don’t know if I can ever forgive him. As though reading my mind, Karl’s eyes lock onto mine, and there’s an intensity in them that I haven’t seen in years. His gaze is heavy, but it’s also completely genuine. “I know that I never should have gone against you, Abby. I’ve messed up, and I’m sorry,” he says quietly. “And I’ll spend the