Chapter 678



Kallie’s thoughts drifted back to Jake’s cold words. She managed to speak through the lump in her throat. “If Jake has really moved on, I can accept that. But I doubt Chloe is just gone.”

Clayton placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “When I found Jake, he was covered in bruises, like he’d been running from something. Kallie, you have to accept the truth.”

Kallie broke down, her sobs shaking her body. Tears streamed down her face as she struggled to breathe.

Clayton’s face showed nothing but pain. He reached out to hold Kallie’s hand, but she jerked away, refusing his touch.

The tension in the room thickened abruptly. Kallie regained her composure and cleared her throat. “Everything is cleared up now. I realize I’ve been rather forceful these past few days. Please don’t hold it against me.”

Clayton hastily said, “It’s okay. I understand the pressures you were facing. I admit, my communication wasn’t the clearest, and I failed to consider your perspective, which must have caused you concern.”

Kallie gave a small smile, her demeanor still detached. “Truly, if I were in your position, I might have made the same decisions. However…”

Her smile waned as she continued, “You have hurt me, and that’s not something I can simply dismiss. My trust isn’t what it once was. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Clayton put on a bitter smile. He motioned toward the door and responded, “I understand. If you doubt my words, perhaps you should speak with Jake. He’s still around.”

Kallie’s lips tightened. She didn’t want to confront Jake. Yet, after a few moments of stillness, she found herself rising from her seat. While she could choose not to probe into the past, she had to ask Jake on behalf of Sophie and Calvin.

Stepping outside, Kallie immediately spotted Jake. He was just lighting a cigarette, his figure shrouded in the curling smoke, making him seem even more distant.

As Kallie approached, Jake acknowledged her with a slight nod. Unable to let it go, Kallie stepped closer and asked, “Do you really remember who I am?”

“Of course,” Jake answered immediately, his tone firm. “How could I forget? I remember everything about our past, vividly.” At his indifferent facade, Kallie nearly let her tears escape. She longed to ask whether he would deny acknowledging Sophie and Calvin, but the image of Elma with Cara halted her. Sophie and Calvin, it seemed, were no longer his priority. Why bother asking, then?

Struggling to maintain her composure, Kallie’s voice wavered, though she managed to sound more detached. “If that’s the case, let’s part ways here. I won’t bother you again.”

Jake gave a curt “Hmm,” his dark eyes swirling with unspoken thoughts. Kallie couldn’t decipher what he was truly considering.

Taking a few steps away, Kallie halted abruptly and turned to face him. With clenched fists, she declared, “If I could go back, I wish I had never met you.”

Jake’s face remained impassive, but it felt as though his heart had been sharply struck. Panic surged through him as he felt an immediate sense of loss. Rooted to the spot, he gazed vacantly in the direction Kallie had gone, long after she had vanished around the corner. His gaze remained fixed, unable to tear away. The words he had uttered went against his desires. Yet, there was some truth to them. Clayton said she was Sarah. He had confirmed it through various sources. He and Sarah had indeed parted on bitter terms. Perhaps his memory loss meant he couldn’t decisively sever ties, but today, he had to be harsh.

Lost in thought, Jake was jolted back to reality when Clayton approached.

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