bChapter 328 /b

    Over time, she’d stopped asking questions about his life, and he’d bretreated /bbfurther /binto himself, growing more vtile and difficult to read. They were like btwo /blines that crossed for a fleeting moment–only to drift apart in opposite directions.

    But now, Alessia realized she’d been wrong. They weren’t simply drifting awayb. /bbThey /bwere intersecting lines, yes, but lines that extended ion /iforever.

    Their lives had taken different paths, yet that single point where they met had never truly unraveled.

    “Money gives you leverage. After all, I’ve spent seventeen years with the Tate family–might as well walk away with something to show for it…”

    Max’s expression remained cold and unreadable, but Alessia, almost without thinking, let go of Cole’s hand and wrapped her arms around Max.

    He stiffened, caught off guard by the sudden hug, his hands awkwardly pausing midair. After a few seconds, he managed a stiff pat on her back–just as he’d done on stormy nights when they were children, gently reassuring her…

    “Thank you,

    Max.”

    He grunted, ruffling her hair, and if you looked closely enough, you might have noticed the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

    As for that five percent share, Alessia had every intention of keeping it. Who knew what the future would bring? If things ever took a turn, those shares could make all

    the difference.

    The car pulled away, and Alessia nced back, meeting a pair of tear–bright eyes.

    Sheughed softly, and for a split second, Cole reminded her of a golden retriever–sitting patiently, leash in its mouth, waiting for someone to take it home. It was almost too endearing.

    She reached out her hand, and Cole’s fingers instantly closed around hers. Their hands intertwined, holding on tightly.

    “Let’s go. I’ll drive you home.”

    Cole nodded. As soon as Alessia unlocked the car, he slid into the passenger seat, obedient as ever.

    She closed her door and settled in behind the wheel. When she turned to check on him, Cole was already dozing off, slumped against the headrest.

    08:28 3

    Chapter b328 /b

    He slept quietly–no teeth grinding, no snoring, just that same bgentle /bbpresence /bas always.

    Smiling, Alessia buckled his seatbelt for him. In the next moment, something bsoft /bbrushed the top of her head–a kiss against her hair.

    “Lessie…” In the hush of the car, Cole mumbled her name.

    “I’m here,” Alessia whispered, ruffling his hair as if soothing a small child.

    For a moment, it felt just like their childhood.

    She remembered the time Cole had snuck a sip of Parrish’s whiskey when no one was looking. At dinner, his face was beet red, and Parrish thought he’de down with a fever–until he leaned in and caught the whiff of alcohol.

    But aside from the flushed cheeks, Cole answered all their questions perfectlyb, /bbso /bthey rxed. Then, out of nowhere, he tipped his head back and fell sound asleep at the table, impossible to wake, sending all three of them into fits ofughter.

    Back then, Parrish had carried him to bed, and even half–asleep, Cole had mumbled nonsense, grabbing little Alessia’s hand as she tried to tuck him in, refusing to let olligo. /li/ol

    Jade had teased him about that for months.

    “Let’s get you home, okay? Be good for me,” she murmured.

    Cole nodded drowsily.

    The car was warm, and Alessia drove with a steady hand. By the time they arrived, Cole waspletely out.

    Alessia gently unbuckled his seatbelt, stepped out, and opened the passenger door. The butler appeared, but she waved away his offer to help.

    The previous housekeeper, who’d taken care of Jade, had been sent off with a generous sum from Cole to retire infort. This one was new.

    “Please park the car in the garage,” Alessia said, handing over the keys.

    With iCole /ileaning against her, she led him up the stairs.

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