Chapter 325 Epilogue: Ka and Calvin XIV

    Brenda had thought Damien was finally catching on, but his next words hit her like a cold ssh of water. “Ka picked it out at her shop. Said it’d suit you. Seems she was right–you like it, don’t you?”

    Brenda’s face darkened, her mood souring in an instant. “You paid for it?”

    Damien shot her a scowl. “What, you think I’d mooch off my own niece?”

    Ka had no clue that this one dress had upset Brenda so much that she stayed holed up in her room, too furious toe downstairs for a whole week.

    *****

    The boutique had hit its stride. For two months straight, customers kepting, and some of the wealthier ones even spread the word, bringing in new faces.

    It wasn’t a goldmine, but Ka was over the moon. Truth be told, she was pulling in more cash than she ever had as an

    actress.

    One day, she gathered her family. “Mom, Dad, Mark,” she said, eyes sparkling with excitement, “I’m thinking of taking a trip. Probably gone for about two weeks.”

    No one batted an eye.

    Mark leaned in, curious. “Where are you headed? Want me to tag along?”

    Kaughed, waving him off, “No way, Mark. I’m not a kid anymore. I don’t need a babysitter for everything.”

    But to them, Ka would always be their little girl, no matter how grown she was.

    “I’m going to the Rockies this time,” she added with a grin. “Not too far. I’ll snap some awesome snowy mountain pics and toss them in our group chat.”

    Mark, always the protective brother, mulled her words over a bit longer than their parents did.

    “Ka,” he said, squinting at her, “you’re not going on this trip with Calvin, are you?b” /b

    *****

    iKa /i

    Ka had bought a full set of ski gear.

    This trip was hers alone–no one else invited.

    As she drove toward the snow–dusted mountains, the brolling /bhills andyered peaks stretched out before her. Her heart swelled with a wild, carefree joy she couldn’t quite put into words.

    Meanwhile, poor Calvin was back in town, wracking his brain for ways to steal a few more moments with her.

    When he swung by Ka’s shop, her business partner Amy gave him a sympathetic look. “Sorry, Calvin. Ka’s taken a two-week leave.”

    “Your chess game was garbage today!” John grumbled, clearly annoyed.

    He shot a nce at the board, shaking his head. “That move was straight–up awful. A kid just learning would’ve yed better.”

    Calvin managed a weak smile, his heart clearly not in the game.

    He hadn’t been able to track down where Ka had gone–only that she was off on some trip.

    Since she was driving herself, there were no flight records to

    trace, leaving himpletely stumped.

    His gaze darkened as he looked at John across from him. He pressed his lips together before speaking, “Sir Lewis, any chance you know how long Ka’s nning to be gone?”

    John’s eyebrows flicked up, his sharp gaze locking onto Calvin. A knowing grin tugged at his mouth as he pieced it together.

    He realized Calvin’s recent distraction, his scattered focus, was all because of Ka.

    John’s mood lifted in an instant.

    “You’re dying to know where Ka’s off to, aren’t you?”

    Calvin practically leaped to pour him a fresh cup of coffee. “Yes! Please!”

    John blew on the steaming mug, taking his sweet time before responding.

    Calvin’s nerves were fraying. “Come on, Sir Lewis, just tell me. Aren’t you worried about her out there all alone, so far from home?

    “If I go with her, she’ll have someone to watch her back, right? Two’s better than one.”

    John squinted at him, a wry smile creeping across his face. “You with her? That’d make me more nervous.

    “But I’ve been keeping an eye on you, and you’re… decent enough. Just don’t you dare let slip that I told you anything.”

    Calvin nodded like his life depended on it. “Not a word. I swear. If she asks, I’ll say it was pure luck. I’d rather die than sell you out!”

    Satisfied, John leaned back and said, almost casually, “The Rockies.”

    Calvin was already on his phone, arranging a car and contacts.

    “Sir Lewis, I’ve got to run–something came up.”

    John watched his frantic retreat, chuckling to himself and shaking his head.

    Calvin was way too hasty.

    He’d miss having a chess partner for a while. He should’ve made Calvin y another round.

    It wasn’t that John had been swayed by Calvin, but he had done a thorough investigation of him.

    Calvin was an only child, a top–tier university grad, and the

    heir to his family’s legacy.

    The fact that he’d spent six months abroad chasing Ka? bThat /bkind of dedication impressed John, even if he wouldn’t admit it out loud.

    As for the rumored arranged marriage, John had dug up everything.

    The supposed bride had never even met him. Just as Calvin imed, it had been nothing more than a smokescreen to cate his family.

    But Calvin and Ka? Their names were sshed across the tabloids.

    There was even paparazzi footage of him apologizing to her at a hotel.

    John figured Calvin wasn’t a bad option, all things considered. But ultimately, it was Ka’s call.

    Ever since Ka—the family’s beloved youngest—was born, John had told her parents: whatever she wanted to do, as long as it wasn’t too wild, they should support her.

    No arranged marriages, no pressure.

    ff’she couldn’t find someone on her own, the family could

    nudge a few introductions her way, but that was it.

    The hardest years of Ka’s life had been her stint as an

    actress.

    John’s only wish was for her to live a long, happy life, free from

    worry.

    In his lifetime, keeping an eye on whoever might be her future husband was part of his n.

    Calvin, by some stroke of luck, had stumbled into a decent score in John’s book without even knowing it.

    *****

    Ka drove along, pulling over in safe spots whenever she came across breathtaking views to snap a few photos.

    She watched the sunrise alone, andter, the sunset too.

    She chatted easily with fellow travelers, even joining a small caravan of other people on road trips.

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