Kyran became Deirdre’s kitchen helper. Around 5:00 p.m., they heard a knock on the door, prompting Deirdre to clap the flour out of her hands in joy. “Sweet! That has to be Glenna! Let her in, Kyran!”A subtle change shadowed Kyran’s expression, though he ultimately obliged and answered the door.The young woman had a few bags on her fingers when the door opened. When she saw Kyran, her eyes dodged him for a second. Steeling herself, she called out, “Hi, Mr… Reed.”Kyran nodded and stepped aside to let Glenna in. Deirdre strode out of the kitchen and greeted cheerfully, “You came just in time, Glenna. A new change of kitchen helper is sorely needed! Kyran’s just no good at these things… He could not even peel and slice those potatoes right. If we want our dinner to happen soon, I’m gonna need your help.”“Well, well, well! You’re in luck! This is exactly what I’m born to do!” Glenna placed the fruits down and rolled her sleeves. “Let me at ‘em!”Her usual preppiness had return

Kyran’s brows began to furrow as Deirdre asked gently, “Hmm? Who was it?”“I don’t know. Must be one of those telemarketers. I’m gonna answer it for a bit.”He rose and started toward the balcony. Unfazed, Deirdre resumed talking with Declan for the rest of the dinner. When Kyran’s food was starting to grow cold, she noticed he had not returned.Declan, perceptive as ever, could read Deirdre’s face. “It’s probably something from work. Since he hasn’t been in his office these days, he probably has a mountain of affairs to which he has to nod off.”“Yeah. You’re probably right,” Deirdre replied with a quick smile as a heavy sense of dread and foreboding unfurled in her chest. The incident with the middle-aged woman earlier today seemed to foretell something bad to come.A low rumble groaned from overhead. Glenna looked up from her meal and muttered to herself, “Is it gonna rain?”“I think it is,” answered Declan. “The weather hasn’t been playing nice lately.”Glenna looked alarmed

“Naturally, I’ll respect your eventual decision too.” Kyran allowed the woman’s scent to calm him down. When he felt like he had finally gained a semblance of control, he studied the hazy, silvery moonlight from outside, illuminating each strand of her hair, and ran his fingers through them. “It’s not as grave as you’ve imagined, but it’s… It’s not good for you. Those people are after me and me alone, yet you get dragged into my problems. I’m sorry. I’m a sorry excuse of a man—”Deirdre clasped her hand over his lips. She shook her head, her expression sincere. “Please, don’t ever say something like that to me, Kyran. I know how good you are, better than anyone else in the world. If you’ve somehow brought harm to me, then God knows how much trouble I must have brought you! But here’s the thing… I never feel bad for any of it, so you shouldn’t be.”Kyran’s eyes seemed to be trembling. In the end, he nodded. He lowered his head and began searching for her lips.Deirdre was flustered

Deirdre listened to Kyran panting under his breath and laced her fingers with his to comfort him. Casting her eyes to the floor, she asked, “Mr. King, do you know why he drank that much?”Declan stiffened for a second and flashed her a smile. “I could answer you on other days, but this time, believe me… I have not the slightest clue. Maybe it was work. Maybe he had a bad day. I actually thought you would know better since you’re his significant other.”Deirdre was hard-pressed for a reply because he was right. She was Kyran’s closest partner—she should have been his confidante. Yet, Kyran seemed to be hiding things from her. Even if she knew it was for her good or for her sake, it pained her to remember just how much Kyran stomached on his own. And now, after shouldering the burden alone for so long, this happened. Deirdre exhaled a long sigh and turned to Declan. “It’s getting late, Mr. King. You should take some rest. I’ll take care of him.”He was already nearing fatigue—she

“I’m all ears, sister! Just say the word!”Deirdre leveled a grateful gaze at her. “I need you to investigate something.”-“This is it. The address points to this unit,” Glenna said as she checked the note in her hand, comparing it to the placard reading ‘604’ on its door. “Should we knock?”Deirdre nodded. “Let’s go.”Glenna knocked. A while later, they heard footsteps and a woman’s answer. “Coming!”The door was pulled open the next second. Maeve was still remarking to herself, “I didn’t expect you to be home so soon! Is it the semester br—”She faltered. Even without consulting her sight, Deirdre could tell that Maeve must look startled and taken aback. Maintaining her composure, Deirdre asked, “Can we come in?”Maeve stepped aside.Deirdre strode inside. Her foggy sight managed to make out a crowded, small interior, hinting at her the older woman’s lackluster economic status. She had not received a lot of money lately, then.Or… she had, but it was so recent she had no