Chapter 41

Chloe emerged from her room, her footsteps echoing softly in the hallway as she made her way towards the kitchen. The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the tantalizing aroma of breakfast cooking on the stove.

As she entered the kitchen, Chloe froze in surprise at the sight before her. There, standing at the counter, was Kai, animatedly talking Akiko’s ears off as she worked diligently to prepare breakfast, flipping the pancakes. The smile she saw on her mother’s face was far from being someone that people said she had to fear.

“…And then I said to him, ‘You have got to be kidding me!” Kai exclaimed, her laughter ringing out like music in the air.

Akiko chuckled softly, her eyes crinkling with amusement as she listened to Kai’s story. “You have the best stories, Kai,” she replied, her voice warm with affection.

Chloe watched in astonishment as the scene unfolded before her, her heart swelling with gratitude at the sight of the two pe