Chapter 143: Chasing Her – The Start of Healing 

Chapter 143: Chasing Her The Start of Healing 

Killian’s POV 

“Excuse me, sir, may I ask if you would like to order anything else?” 

I looked up at the waiter. “Yes, an espresso. Double shot.” 

“I’ll write that down. However, if I may suggest, it would be better to choose a lighter drink for the sake of your stomach, sin the waiter advised gently. 

I could barely think amidst everything that had happened. I rubbed my face and glanced at the menu again, but found nothing that appealed to me. 

“Just recommend something for me. I’ll order whatever it is,” I said emptily.. 

The waiter hesitated for a moment, seeming unsure about my request. After a few seconds, he clicked his pen and wrote it down. 

“Very well, I’ll bring it to you shortly. Have a pleasant day, sir.” 

He smiled warmly before returning to his station to inform the kitchen of the new order. I slumped into my chair, the tension that had been gripping my back easing slightly. 

The café felt unusually silent, even though it was filled with customers. I decided to stay here, lingering in my memories of meeting her. 

Ruby’s coffee cup had already been cleared away by the waiter, its steam having long dissipated. The chair she had sat on still seemed to bear the weight of her presence. 

My mind kept circling around her words: “for Mikael.” 

It felt so wrong to be disappointed. Of course Ruby would say that. The man was her husband, her mate in this lifetime; someone she loved deeply. 

I had my chance once, but I was the one who threw it away. Resting my head in my hands, I barely heard the bell above the door chime again. 

“I knew I’d find you here.” 

Leonidas‘ voice sounded as casual as if we were just two old friends spending time together. I turned my attention to him reluctantly. I wasn’t in the mood to face anyone right now. 

“Aren’t you supposed to be at the kingdom, Beta?” 

“I was. But I missed your brooding face, and I figured I’d make good use of my free time,” he said as he slid into the seat Rosalyn had just vacated. 

“Judging by the new tea in front of you, I’m guessing it was a heavy conversation,” he mused. 

“Not exactly sunshine and roses,” I replied. 

He nodded, his gaze steady on me. “But she came, didn’t she?” 

“She came.” 

“And?” 

“She gave me permission to try. That’s all.” 

Leonidas tilted his head. “Really? No other discussions?” 

“I didn’t want to draw it out. At least she gave me permission to approach her as someone Mikael trusts,” I replied, lifting the tea to my lips. 

The one–eyed Beta grimaced. “I’d say that’s her generosity towards you.” 

“Who could blame her for acting that way, Leonidas?” 

The taste of the tea wasn’t nearly enough to neutralize the bitterness in my mouth. 

Nor was its warmth enough. It faded too quickly, never reaching the coldest parts within me. 

“Allow me to ask is your intention still the same?” Leonidas asked, confused. 

I stayed silent for a long moment. “I still have the desire to make her nine But I will step back if she firmly closes off her heart.” 

Successfully unlocked! 

“You said Mikael mentioned in his letter that Ruby still held some feelings for you, didn’t he?” 

“Yes.” 

“Then use that grow it into something bigger,” Leonidas suggested, thanking the waiter who had just delivered his order. 

1/3 

Chapter 143 Chasing Her–The Start of Healing 

I raked my hand through my hair in frustration. “I’m not sure, Leonidas. Besides, you yourself said Ruby and Rosalyn are now two different people.” 

“They are. It all depends on you whether you’ll love Ruby, or Rosalyn.” 

“I feel that no matter her form or her soul, I would still love her, I admitted plainly. 

“Even though she has three children?” 

I glanced sideways at Leonidas. “I don’t see anything wrong with her being a mother of three.” 

Silence settled between us for a while. Outside, a gentle breeze stirred the fountains waters. Leaves in the square danced lightly, as if trying to recall the rhythm of autumn. The scent of dampness and dry leaves floated on the wind. 

“You can’t keep punishing yourself for what happened, Leonidas said suddenly. 

“She never asked you to.” 

“You’re right about that,” I muttered. “But I do it because I can’t live with who I used to be.” 

“And who are you now?” 

That question immediately sealed my lips. I had no answer for it. The only thing I truly wanted was to atone for my sins and make Rosalyn happy, whether or not she was with me. Although a darker part of me constantly whispered, urging me to be greedy, to exploit every ounce of Rosalyn’s sorrow for my own gain. 

“You need to think about your own happiness, too, Killian,” Leonidas said. 

He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “You’re not Mikael. You’re not supposed to replace him. You’re supposed to carry what he entrusted to you and move forward without expecting anything in return. That’s what you’re doing now. It’s the only way forward.” 

He was right, but it still hurt. No path didn’t hurt. 

Leonidas glanced at his watch, then stood up. “Alright, I’m heading out.” 

I frowned. This bastard showed up like a storm, and now he was leaving just as abruptly. 

“Where to?” 

“Jewelry store,” he said simply. 

My eyebrows shot up skeptically. “New hobby? Collecting jewelry now?” 

Leonidas snorted. “Of course not. Why would you jump to such a weird conclusion?” 

“Then there’s a master blacksmith at the kingdom-” 

“I know,” he interrupted, a grin tugging at his lips. “But I spotted a gem. Green, very rare. 

It reminded me of Sean’s eyes when he’s mad at me often.” 

The words flowed into my mind. A realization hit me hard as the meaning behind Leonidas‘ errand became clear. My jaw dropped slightly, and I shook my head in disbelief. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. 

“You’re going to propose to him?” 

I asked, my voice pitching higher than I intended. It was hard to believe that this guy with his reputation for breaking the hearts of both women and men would get so serious about his mate. 

Leonidas pulled a face, clearly annoyed. “What, you think I would toy with my mate’s heart?” 

“I’m going to make the ring first. 

Then I’ll propose once I’m sure he won’t kill me for keeping it secret all this time,” he continued proudly. 

I almost smiled at the genuine happiness and sincerity in his voice. The kid was serious, it seemed. It was only right that among us, at least someone found a life worth living. Even if it wasn’t me, Leonidas deserved his happy ending. 

“He’ll say yes,” I said. 

Leonidas paused for a second. “You really think so?” 

“Anyone who’s survived you this long deserves either hazard pay or a diamond.” 

He laughed, and for a brief moment, the weight on my shoulders felt a little lighter. 

Then he clapped me on the shoulder once. 

“Do what you need to do, Killian. Just… don’t lie to yourself in the process.” 

“Thanks for the mini lecture, future groom.” 

*** 

The therapist’s office was too warm, the kind of clinical heat that made your skin itch. Dr. Lira sat across from me, her hands neatly folded over a notebook she rarely opened. I had seen three different professionals before her. They had all 

Chapter 143: Chasing Her The Start of Healing 

quit because of me. But she hadn’t. 

Sean had made sure I didn’t bolt. Sometimes, I wondered who the real king was me or him, I thought irritably. 

“So, you finally saw him chatting with that woman,” she assessed with an analytical tone. 

“Yeah.” 

“And?” 

“At least he didn’t slam the door in my face.” 

“That’s progress.” 

I rubbed the bridge of my nose. “Progress feels a lot like sorrow.” 

She studied me quietly. “Because you’re hoping for something that might never happen?” 

“You guessed correctly, doctor. Though the darker part of me still wants to drag him back, just to have him near me again,” I admitted honestly, disgusted with myself. 

Dr. Lira tilted her head slightly. “I see that. You’re still trying.” 

“I won’t deny it.” 

The psychiatrist scribbled a few notes on her clipboard. 

“You can’t rewrite the past. But you can stop reliving it every time someone mentions his name.” 

“He is my past,” I said bitterly. 

“I know that,” she replied softly. “What I’m trying to say is you need to learn to let go, my lord.” 

Her voice softened as she offered the advice. 

Before I could answer, my phone buzzed on the table. I quickly grabbed it to check the screen and saw Leonidas‘ name flashing. 

I answered immediately. “What’s wrong?” 

“Oh, thank the gods you picked up right away. Elias, the little one, has a fever. They’ve already called for the healer, and the examination is underway. I thought you’d want to know.” 

My heart thudded painfully at the news. I was still curious how he had found out so quickly, but that was a question for later. 

“I’m on my way,” I said, already getting to my feet. 

“Use the portal. I’ll send you the coordinates,” Leonidas instructed firmly. 

I glanced at Dr. Lira, then ended the call. “Can we continue this another time?” 

“Of course, Your Grace. 

Please come back for another consultation later this week,” she requested kindly. 

“Noted.” 

I didn’t think about anything else as I hurried out of the room. When I stepped through the portal, I could feel the tension hanging thick in the air. The Pack Infirmary was filled with the sounds of crying infants and murmuring adults. Yet I couldn‘ t detect Leonidas‘ voice among them. 

Rosalyn was in the foyer, cradling Elias tightly against her chest. The child whimpered weakly against her. Her eyes were red and streaked with tears, and her scent was a swirling mixture of fear and exhaustion. 

As I stepped further inside, Rosalyn, along with the rest of the Torrance family, turned and stared at me in surprise. 

“Killian?” 

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