"You said you wanted to talk?" Thalassa asked as she stepped away from Kris, gesturing toward the couch. Kris nodded but held onto her hand, gently pulling her down beside him.

"I saw the press statement, and obviously everyone's talking about it," Kris began, his voice tinged with concern. "I just want to know why you did it. Why did you decide to clear my mother's name?" Thalassa swallowed but maintained a neutral expression. "You asked me to do it once, didn't you?"

Kris nodded, regret filling his expression. "Yes, but I apologized in the card I sent you because I realized how unfair it was of me to ask you to do something like that. You shouldn't have done it because of me."

"I didn't do it because of you, Kris," Thalassa replied, her voice steady.

Kris's brow furrowed in confusion. "You didn't?"

"No, I did it for myself," she said firmly, watching his perplexed expression. She sighed and continued. "I'm tired, Kris. Tired of holding on to so much resentment and anger. I want to be able to forget the past... because I know that's the only way I can be happy."

Kris pressed his lips together, doubt flickering in his eyes. Thalassa's heart skipped a beat. "I understand you wanting to move forward and giving me a chance, which I'm so grateful for, but my mother... why did you help her, Thalassa? You hate her. The last time we talked, you were sure she was behind the loss of our unborn child."

Thalassa had anticipated these questions, but seeing the doubts in his eyes made her chest tighten with guilt. She quickly stood up, turning away from him, unable to meet his gaze for the lie she was about to tell.

"It's because I realized I might have been wrong. The man who attacked me never mentioned your mother's name. I just assumed it was her since I thought she had me framed for the embezzlement."

The words felt like thorns in her throat, painful to speak because it was the complete opposite of how she felt. "But since you clarified to me that your mother only acted on evidence she was given back then, I've been thinking about it and I realize that...I might have been wrong."

"Lassa..." Kris's voice was soft, filled with shock. "Are you sure about this? You don't have to change your mind. I've already asked my pri-"

"Yes, I'm sure," Thalassa interrupted, still facing away from him. "Besides, she's your mother, Kris, and you love her. If we're going to be together, I don't want any tension with her or your family."

Behind her, Kris's heart swelled, his eyes moistening. "You'd really do that? For me? Even after how badly my family treated you?"

Thalassa's throat tightened. "Yes."

Warm arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her close. Kris's presence sent a rush of emotion through her, but with it came an overwhelming wave of guilt.

She pushed the guilt away. She had no reason to feel guilty-what she planning to do was the right thing.noveldrama

"Oh, Lassa... I don't deserve you," Kris croaked, burying his face in her neck. "But I'm going to do everything I can to be worthy of your love again. I promise."

Before he could say anything further that might shove her into an even bigger pile of guilt, his phone rang. He placed a gentle kiss on her neck before releasing her and answering the call. "Yes? What is it?" he asked, his mood turning serious as he listened. Thalassa sensed the change in his mood and turned to face him, raising an eyebrow in question.

"I need you to appeal it as hard as you can. I'll talk to you later." Kris said into the phone before hanging up.

"Is something wrong?" Thalassa asked.

Kris sighed. "I'm not sure you'll want to hear this."

"Does it affect me?"

"In some way, yes," he admitted.

"Then I want to know."

Kris ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "It was my lawyer. Karen still refuses to sign the divorce papers with my terms. Her lawyer contested last week, and the judge just granted it. We'll have to fight it out in court for the divorce and custody of Tessa."

Thalassa's face fell. "I guess she's enjoyed you too much to just let you go," she muttered, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

Kris stiffened, pain flashing in his eyes at the bitterness in her voice. He quickly stepped closer, reaching for her hand.

"Lassa, I know you don't believe me, but there was never anything between Karen and me. It was just one night... a night I got too drunk, thinking of you. I don't even remember how it happened."

He hesitated, his voice softening. "I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but... even though I never had feelings for Karen, I don't see that night as a mistake. Because that's how Tessa was born, and she means everything to me."

The love for his daughter was so evident in his eyes that Thalassa's heart squeezed painfully. Would he he have had the same look if she had told him about Alex after giving birth? Would he have the same

if he were ever to find out about

Alex?

look

Involuntarily, a tear slipped down her cheek. Alarmed, Kris cupped her face gently.

"Lassa... what's wrong? Did I say something-?"

Before he could ask more questions, Thalassa kissed him hard, desperate to stop the flood of questions. Kris groaned, kissing her back fervently, losing himself to her lips.

Neither of them heard the knock on the door or the creak as it slowly opened.

"Sorry, Lassa. Juana wasn't at her desk and-" Zeke began as he entered the office, but he froze at the sight before him.