Her grip on Vincent’s hand tightened unconsciously, fearing that her earlier secret visit to the mad woman had been uncovered, potentially rendering their efforts useless.

In response, Vincent offered a reassuring squeeze back, wordlessly comforting her.

“Miss Bailey, the princess sent this for you,” the soldier said, extending a small bag towards Katelyn.

She hesitated for a moment, then accepted the bag and quietly said, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” replied the soldier, saluting before he left.

As she watched him walk away, Katelyn released a relieved sigh. Upon opening the bag, she discovered it contained medicine and a note. “Take care of yourself. I’ll come see you another day. Sorry for the trouble today.”

Noting the medications were for stomach ailments, Katelyn set the bag aside.

Vincent, having glanced at the note, joked with a raised eyebrow, “It seems she’s quite fond of you now.”

Katelyn shot him a sharp look. “You know the purpose of this,” she snapped back, attributing the gesture to his entanglements.

This never would have happened if Ryanna hadn’t set her sights on Vincent in the first place. Chances were, Ryanna would have kept her distance from her. The situation wouldn’t have spiraled into such a mess.

Instead of showing any hint of anger, Vincent simply smiled and leaned in, pressing a soft kiss against Katelyn’s lips. With a gentle tone, he said, “What can I say? Your boyfriend is just too remarkable.”

Katelyn turned to Vincent, unable to find the right words.

How could he be so casual about it now? He had never spoken this way before, yet now he tossed those words at her without a second thought. Whatever restraint Katelyn once believed Vincent had was now completely gone.

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But his casual demeanor helped to lighten the mood that had been tense just moments before.

Recalling something, Katelyn smiled at Vincent and teased, “Then you’d better watch out. I have my fair share of admirers too.”

Was he deliberately trying to outdo himself in boldness? She felt free enough around him to speak her mind boldly, not caring how she appeared.

Vincent admired Katelyn’s playful grin, noticing her liveliness, which he found endearing. There was a newfound fire in her, a liveliness he hadn’t seen before, and he found himself completely drawn to it. Vincent pressed another kiss against Katelyn’s lips before fastening his seatbelt, his voice low as he murmured, “Let’s go home.”

Katelyn simply gave an agreeing nod, responding, “Okay.”

At that moment, Katelyn’s phone vibrated with an incoming message.

Opening it, she found a message from Jaxen glaring back at her.

“You haven’t turned off your earpiece!”

It turned out he had unknowingly been the hidden subject of their entire conversation.

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