Chapter 136: The Aftermath
When Lara stepped out of the study, her steps faltered. An inexplicable wave of grievance swelled within her, tightening her throat. She paused, fingers curling against her palms as she tried to steady her breathing. The silence was deafening, broken only by the soft rustle of her clothing as she resumed walking. Her light footsteps glided noiselessly along the cold stone floor, leaving no echo in the corridor.
She decided to reveal what happened back then to Lara’s family. It was not her problem to resolve, she was not the original Lara. There were seven capable men in the family. If they could not uncover who was the perpetrator for Lara’s kidnapping two years ago, then they do not deserve to be her new family.
Lara was startled when an ornate door opened to her right.
"Going back? I’ll walk with you." Alaric’s smooth voice drifted into the silence before she could react, and without waiting for her response, he fell into step beside her.
Lara cast a sidelong glance at the imposing man. His presence was steady, almost comforting, yet she couldn’t help but notice the absence of his two guards. She wondered where were they?
The two walked in silence, the dirt road stretching endlessly ahead of them. Alaric, through the corner of his eye, studied her. The solemn figure beside him felt distant, lost in thoughts and he dared not intrude upon. They passed under the arching boughs of an ancient oak tree, moonlight filtering through the leaves, casting ghostly shadows along their path. Lara veered off the cobbled road, her steps taking her towards the park instead. The night air felt lighter here, fragrant with the scent of dew-kissed grass.
The tall and imposing man beside her suddenly stepped forward and blocked her path.
Lara stopped short, lifting her head in question, eyes narrowing.
"What’s wrong?" Her voice, still disguised as Kane’s, was quiet but firm.