Semua Bab The Endgame Chronicles: Bab 971 - Bab 980

A faint smile tugged at Liam's mouth. Little by little, the emptiness in his eyes started to fade."Yeah," he said quietly. "You're right."Hayley glanced at him. "Are you coming, or are you planning to sit up here freezing to death?""Coming," Liam answered immediately.He got to his feet and followed her back down the hill."Once the cemetery's finished, I'll bring everyone up here to pay their respects.""Okay.""And next time you come, tell me first. If I'm free, I'll come with you to visit Grandpa.""Deal.""Now go back and do your job. Your people are waiting on you.""Alright."Whatever Hayley said, Liam agreed without argument.At the bottom of the hill, he spotted the electric scooter parked nearby. "You're driving.""You really don't believe in asking nicely, do you?" she said, watching him casually climb onto the back seat.Still, she didn't argue. If he wanted a ride, fine.Hayley turned the key, started the scooter, and drove them back toward downtown.Liam

"Hayley."When Scarlett walked in, Hayley was sitting behind her desk, reviewing reports and data projections.The second she looked up and saw who it was, she smiled. "Perfect timing. I was actually about to send somebody to find your base.""What's up?" Scarlett asked, lowering her hands.Only then did Hayley notice the lingering flush on Scarlett's face.Ever since Scarlett joined Haylight League, her health had improved dramatically with steady food and decent living conditions.Back then, she had been skinny as a rail and dark from constant exposure outside. Now, her complexion looked healthy and bright, her skin noticeably fairer, her dark eyes clear and lively like polished glass.In her early twenties, she had grown into herself completely. Even with short hair, she carried an effortless confidence that made her look sharp instead of rough around the edges.The scrappy little tomboy from years ago was long gone.Hayley set the reports aside and looked at her with an

"What secret?" Hayley asked.Scarlett didn't hide anything from Hayley. "The real reason I don't want to get married is because of Malcolm. I just feel like every guy in the world is like my brother: bossy, short-tempered, and always lecturing you like they know better. Honestly, I can't imagine living with somebody like that."Hayley shook her head before Scarlett even finished."No, that's just because you haven't met enough decent men yet. Look at the people around me. Leonard, Thomas, Robert, and even Jim. They're all genuinely good guys, especially Thomas. He looks intimidating, but he's actually softhearted."The second Scarlett heard Thomas's name, her ears practically perked up."Does Thomas really have that good of a personality?""Oh, absolutely." Hayley grinned. "Outside, he hits like a freight train. But around the people he cares about, he's a total teddy bear. I've never once seen him lose his temper with a woman."Right then, another knock sounded at the office

Scarlett carried the cup of hot chocolate all the way home.Thomas walked her back himself.The entire trip, he barely said anything.Scarlett wanted to say something more several times, but by the time they reached her building, all she managed was, "Do you want to come upstairs for tea?"Thomas shook his head. "Can't. I've got work this afternoon."Scarlett nodded, trying not to sound disappointed. "Okay. See you.""See you."Thomas stayed downstairs by the entrance, watching her head inside.Scarlett lived on the third floor. When she reached the second-floor landing and glanced back down, Thomas was still standing there.A warm sense of security immediately settled in her chest.He had stayed to make sure she got home safely.Scarlett tightened both hands around the cup of hot chocolate and continued upstairs.The second she entered her apartment, she hurried to the window and waved downstairs. Thomas looked up, lifted a hand in response, then finally turned and left.

After all these years, Mona, Jullian, and Todd had become something like younger siblings to Jim.Somewhere along the way, he had quietly stepped into the role of their caretaker.Jim looked at Mona in her wedding dress and smiled softly. "Today, I'm the one walking you down the aisle."Emotion flashed through Mona's eyes instantly."Thanks, Jim." She smiled, genuinely touched. "For everything you've done for us all these years."Jim's expression softened even more. He was practically radiating exhausted single father energy."If Jullian ever gives you a hard time after this, you come tell me first," he said. "I'll handle him myself."Todd immediately cracked his knuckles. "Same here, Mona. I'll help."Mona laughed, eyes turning warm. "Okay."Right then, excited shouting erupted outside the room."The groom's here!"The second Mona heard Jullian's voice downstairs, she immediately sat up straighter while everyone around her started laughing."Oh, no," the makeup artist said