Chapter 0197


    I can feel the knot in my chest loosening, the heavy weight of the day’s events lifting ever so slightly.


    “You guys are amazing.”


    Then, my eyes meet Karl’s. He’s carrying a loaf of what smells like very fresh bread and a wheel of


    cheese stolen from the pantry at the restaurant, and there’s a soft, apologetic look in his eyes. We


    stare at each other for a few moments, and my heart does a flip. I can feel the heat rising into my


    cheeks and I have to quickly look away before he notices.


    Suddenly, Chloe’s voice breaks through my reverie.


    “Let’s get this party started!” she says, turning up the music.


    Soon, we’re all a little tipsy, swaying to the beat of a Spotify ylist that Daisy insisted was the


    “Ultimate Cleaning Mix.” I find myself moving my hips while scrubbing the walls, and I look over to see


    John and Ethan attempting the moonwalk with mops.


    “We’re setting a new standard for house parties!” Ethan shouts over the music, and we all burst into


    Despite everything that happened, my chest feels a little lighter. I couldn’t have asked for better friends.


    I slip into the pantry to grab more trash bags, momentarily stepping out of the haze ofughter and


    chatter. It’s quiet in here, the stillness giving space for the reality of the situation to creep back in. Who


    could’ve done this to me? I shudder at the thought.


    Just then, Karl steps in. “Hey, you okay?” he asks, his eyes searching mine.


    “I’m fine,” I reply, although my voice is a bit wobbly. “Just a little shaken, you know? Wondering who


    could’ve set fire to my apartment.”Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    Karl suddenly takes my hand. My heart pounds in my chest and I slowly lift my gaze to meet his. His


    cheeks are flushed, probably from the booze, but his voice is low and a little husky. “Abby, we’ll find


    whoever did this to you. I promise.”


    I chuckle. “Thanks, Karl. But the police have it under control.”


    “Still,” he says quietly, drawing just a little closer. “Whatever you need, I’m here. I…”


    “Karl…”


    Before I know it, Karl’s lips are on mine, and for a second, the world stops. My heart does a


    somersault, caught off guard. In the back of my mind, I can feel it: my wolf, slowlying out of her


    slumber. She’s drawing me closer to him, and for just a moment, I allow her to.


    Without entirely meaning to, I find my hand lifting, my fingers tangling into Karl’s hair. The music and


    the chatter in the other room fades into the background, and suddenly it’s just us, just me and Karl.


    When we pull apart, there’s a heavy pause, both of us staring at each other with wide eyes, unsure of


    what just happened.


    “Abby,” he murmurs, “I—”


    “Um, thanks for helping tonight,” I finally say, gently disengaging from the awkward moment.


    “Abby—”


    “I… I can’t, Karl,” I murmur. “Let’s not do this right now.”


    Karl is silent. I slide past him, my heart pounding like crazy, and rejoin the group, hoping beyond hope


    that I can just forget that electric, heart-stopping kiss that I just shared with Karl.


    The room falls quiet, and then everyone grins at me, like they’re sharing a secret joke. Co?tent оf


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    “Just read the newspaper tomorrow,” Chloe winks.


    “What? Why?” I press, my curiosity spiking.


    Ethan grins. “Just trust us, Abby.”