The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 343

Leilani was well aware that Dante had been treating her like a granddaughter-in-law lately, with an enthusiasm that was almost overwhelming. She scoffed lightly. “So you’re just using me as a shield!”

Callahan chuckled low in his throat. “No, a good luck charm.”

Seeing him deliver smooth lines with that stoic face of his was a jarring contrast. Leilani couldn’t help but smile, shooting him a playful glare. “Smooth talker.”

Callahan lowered his head, his narrow eyes fixed on her with deep affection. “Only for you.”

After settling her into his office, he affectionately rubbed the top of her head. “Rest here for a bit. I have a meeting, but I’ll be back soon.”

Leilani nodded, picking up a finance magazine from the table. “Go ahead, don’t worry about me.”

Callahan turned and left.

Half an hour later, the office door swung open.

Leilani looked up to see Callahan standing in the doorway, his gaze intense. “Come with me.”

“Hm?”

Before she could react, he had taken her hand and pulled her out of the room.

“Where are we going?”

Callahan didn’t answer, simply leading her into the elevator and pressing the button for the roof.

Leilani was confused until the elevator dinged at the top floor. Callahan led her out onto the open-air

terrace.

The rooftop of the Langley Group building was spacious, lined with chairs for employees to take breaks. Leilani was wondering why he brought her here when-

“Boom!”

A sound tore through the night sky.

Leilani looked up. A firework bloomed instantly, its brilliant light illuminating the darkness. Then a second, a third… countless glittering fireworks exploded against the canvas of the night, finally coalescing into a name-LEILANI.

She froze. It was her name. The letters shimmered in the sky, suspended in fire and light.

“This is…” She turned to the man beside her, her heart racing uncontrollably.

Callahan looked down at her, the reflection of the fireworks dancing in his eyes. “It’s a surprise for you. Do you like it?”

It clicked. The “meeting” he had gone to was just him preparing this.

Leilani blinked, her eyes shining as she looked at him. “Thank you. I love it.”

16:04

Even if she hadn’t said it, the erratic beating of her heart was telling her the truth. She truly loved the

surprise.

But as the initial shock faded, confusion set in.

“Why did you suddenly decide to do this?” she asked. It wasn’t a holiday or an anniversary.

Callahan remained silent. He couldn’t exactly tell her that ever since Micah Locke had forced those handbags on her, the incident had been gnawing at him.

Seeing his silence, Leilani realized there was more to it. Her mind raced through the possible reasons until she grasped the likely culprit. She looked at him skeptically. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with Micah, would it?”

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16:04

Chapter

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