Chapter 563: Chapter 563

Chapter 563:

“Whatever happens, it will pass,” he said, offering her a cigarette. His voice, low and even, carried an edge of frost and reassurance.

“We can only make the most of the moments we have,” he added, his eyes tracing her profile.

Under the moonlight, she looked striking yet unreachable, like a distant star—her beauty matched only by her remoteness.

“I know,” Allison replied, taking the cigarette from him. Understanding the sentiment didn’t make it any easier to practice. As the adrenaline of the night faded, the quiet left her feeling restless.

A soft clack pierced the stillness as Kellan’s silver lighter sparked to life, casting a brief, warm glow.

“Whatever happens, if you need anything—like tonight—don’t hesitate to reach out,” Kellan said, his voice low but steady.

He lit his own cigarette, and the faintly bitter tang of tobacco mingled with the cool night air, laced with a subtle trace of jasmine—the distinct scent of women’s cigarettes. From where Allison stood, Kellan’s silhouette seemed almost spectral, outlined by the moon’s silvery light. The faint glow of the cigarette at his fingertips illuminated his features, softening them into a haze of shadow and smoke.

The sight prompted an unexpected question. “Isn’t that a women’s brand? Why do you have it, Mr. Lloyd?”

A hint of a smile touched his lips. “I saw you smoking them once. Decided to try them myself.”

Allison’s eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across her face as she processed his words. She glanced at the cigarette between his fingers, wondering how long ago that had been.

Memories rushed back—a distant evening when she had stood on a terrace, smoke curling around her as she calculated how to turn Kellan into an asset. She’d never imagined he’d notice such a small detail, let alone imitate it now.

“Hold still. There’s something on your shoulder,” Kellan said, interrupting her reverie.

His hand reached out, fingers brushing her shoulder as he plucked a fallen leaf from the fabric of her coat.

The moment passed in an instant—a touch so fleeting it could have been overlooked. Yet, in that sliver of time, the world seemed to pause.

The distance between them shrank, and everything else faded into a blur, leaving only the shared warmth of their proximity. She could feel the lingering heat from where his fingers had brushed against her, a sensation that resonated deep within her.

Kellan’s hands were broad and calloused, etched with strength and resilience. When he picked up the delicate fallen leaf from her shoulder, the contrast between his rough hands and the fragile leaf seemed almost poetic.

“Thank you, Mr. Lloyd,” Allison said, keeping her voice steady. “Looks like autumn’s arrived—so many withered leaves.”

Kellan met her gaze.

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