For a moment, Kris didn't move, too stunned to react. But then his face broke into a look of pure relief, his eyes filling with tears before he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly, his heart thundering in his chest. "You don't know what this means to me, Lassa," his voice trembled. "You just don't know. I promise, you'll never regret this."

He hesitated for a moment, then leaned down, brushing his lips against hers. Thalassa's breath caught in her throat, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she responded, kissing him back with a passion that surprised them both.

The kiss wasn't as furious as it had been in New York. This time, it was slow, sensual, but equally messy as they kissed through their tears.

Her hand moved up his shirt, reaching for his first button, but Kris placed his hand on hers, stopping her. Maybe it was a little too late considering what had already happened between them in New York, but he wanted to do this the right way. To wait until she was ready to trust him again with her heart and her body.

Breaking the kiss, he gazed into her eyes. "We don't have to, Lassa. I just want to hold you tonight. Will you let me?"

Unable to form a single word, Thalassa merely nodded. Kris placed another soft kiss on her lips before wiping the tears from both their faces.

Then he slowly led her towards the bed. Making her sit on it, he knelt down and took off her heels for her. Afterward, he discarded his own shoes and slipped onto the bed behind her.

Thalassa had the dreamless sleep of a woman who didn't know whether she was making the right decision.

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The next morning, Luisa yawned and rubbed her eyes sleepily as she stepped out of her room and made her way downstairs.

Smelling the aroma of coffee in the air, she assumed it was Thalassa, but as soon as she entered the kitchen, she nearly screamed at the sight of the man sitting by the counter drinking coffee. "Kris! What are you doing here?"

Kris chuckled softly as he took in her shocked expression, deciding to tease her a bit. "Oh, here? I just came to get myself some coffee."

Luisa narrowed her eyes. "You know what I mean. What are you doing in the house, especially this early in the morning?"

"Uh... I slept here."

"You broke in to sleep in your room?"

Before Kris could respond, Thalassa's voice came from behind her. "No, he broke in to sleep in my room."

"What?"

Luisa watched, absolutely flabbergasted, as Kris got off his stool and walked toward Thalassa, leaning down to plant a short, brief kiss on her lips.

"Good morning. I didn't want to wake you," he whispered.

"Can someone explain to me what the hell is going on?"

A joyful grin broke out on Kris's face. "Thalassa has agreed to give me another chance."

Luisa's eyes widened, looking at Thalassa, but Thalassa diligently avoided her gaze. "Aren't you going to say anything?" Kris asked.noveldrama

Luisa snapped out of her daze, nodding. "Uh..of course, I'm happy for you two."

"I know you don't completely trust me, Luisa, but I assure you I'll do everything to make Thalassa the happiest. She won't regret her decision," Kris assured her. Luisa blinked, forcing a smile. "Are you going to stay for breakfast?"

"No," Kris replied, glancing at Thalassa. "I was just waiting for her to wake up. Now that she's awake, I'll be on my way."

Despite Thalassa agreeing to give him another chance, he knew she still needed space, and he didn't want to overwhelm her with his presence.

Feeling like he was still dreaming, he leaned down and planted a lingering kiss on her forehead. "I'll see you later?"

Thalassa swallowed. "Sure."

Smiling, Kris hesitated, then turned and left. Luisa followed him out, watching from a distance to make sure he had left the house before returning to the kitchen to stare questioningly at Thalassa.

"Tell me the truth, Thalassa. What is happening?"

"I thought this was what you wanted," Thalassa replied.

"Yes, but I wasn't trying to force you into anything."

Thalassa shook her head. "No. You were right, Luisa. I still love Kris, but we can never be happy as long as his mother is still between us. That's why I have to do this."

With that, she pulled out her phone and dialed her secretary's number. "Juana, I need you to write up and release a press statement in my name clarifying that Linda Miller was not behind the sabotage of our

Tell

collection as people bent...

everyone that she is

Yes... Thank you."

When she hung up, Luisa was staring at her with narrowed eyes. "You're planning something, Thalassa. What is it?"

Thalassa's expression hardened. "Something that needs to be done."

She just hoped that, Kris was going to understand and not hate her for what she was planning.