Chapter 1220:

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Felicity didn’t believe it for a second. She shot him a sideways glance. “Can you even make something edible? Aleena knows what she’s doing. I’ll just have whatever she’s making.”

“I know how.” Despite the rejection, Caspian’s expression didn’t change. He simply walked over to the grill. “Just wait.”

Felicity said nothing. Her silence was its own quiet permission.

Kyson carried over a plate of fruit, speared a piece of pear with a fork, and held it to Kailey’s lips as they watched the scene unfold. “So, honey. Think he’s got a shot?”

“Maybe.” Kailey whispered. “If he keeps being this shameless… who knows.”

She turned and fixed him with a pointed look. “You would know all about that, wouldn’t you?”

Kyson was silent for a beat. He rubbed the back of his nose. “Was I?”

рo𝗉𝗎𝗅a𝗿 𝘴𝘁o𝗋𝗂es 𝗼ո g𝘢𝘭nоv𝘦lѕ.𝖼o𝗺

Kailey let out a soft huff and took the fruit plate from him. She walked over to Ryan. “Uncle Ryan, see if there’s anything you’d like. You can have a couple of pieces.”

Ryan’s gaze was fixed on the distance, his voice gentle. “You go ahead and ea—”

Before he could finish, she popped a piece of kiwi straight into his mouth.

“I remember you love these,” Kailey said. “They’re really sweet. Try it.”

Her eyes, catching the sunlight, looked almost translucent, like glass beads, and within them flickered countless old memories. Ryan found himself momentarily transfixed.

“What are you two talking about? Come and eat!”

Aleena’s voice scattered on the wind, but it still reached them all.

They gathered around the table. The warm, golden light of the late afternoon slanted across the summit, making the whole scene look like something out of a painting, almost dreamlike.

Ryan sat in his wheelchair, his gaze drifting across each face like calm water. A profound peace, the kind he had never felt before, settled over him.

Amid the familiar, beloved voices, the corner of his mouth lifted into a faint smile.

And then, slowly, he closed his eyes.

The End

Author’s Note

I suppose I should address a few things. But honestly, I’m not really in the mood. All the trashing I got before, it really stung.

I’m not dodging your questions because I’m scared. Partly, I don’t want to waste time on strangers, and partly… well, a lot of the criticism was fair.

Honestly, this book was written to chase the market. For one brief moment, it almost blew up at the peak of a trend, and thank God it didn’t. During that period, you all tore me apart so badly I couldn’t continue. I went on hiatus, and my stats went from soaring to rock bottom. It was brutal.

I’ve never been good at cashing in on success. I’d earn a little, and before it even ran out, I’d be off enjoying life without a care. I only start writing again when I’m broke.

I couldn’t write. Nothing anyone said helped. I’d read those vile comments, grinding my teeth in fury, but I couldn’t even argue back.

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