Let Them Kneel (kaelani and Julian) novel Chapter 191

Chapter 191

“After a while, they just… closed it down.”

She let the silence sit for a second before finishing.

“I tried to get a loan to save it,” she added, quieter now. “But I was denied… didn’t make enough.”

A small, apologetic breath.

Her eyes softened, guilt threading through her voice.

“I’m sorry.”

Kaelani exhaled slowly, her gaze slipping away for a moment.

Of course.

The Council had frozen her accounts the second she disappeared.

“Those assholes.”

The words slipped out under her breath, sharp and unfiltered.

She looked back at Tessa, something in her expression softening despite the frustration.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she said. “It wasn’t your problem to deal with.”

Tessa shook her head immediately.

“No,” she said, firmer than expected. “I wanted to. After everything you’ve done for me… I needed to do something in return.”

A small, self–conscious huff left her.

“Some help I was,” she muttered. “Couldn’t even save my best friend’s bakery.”

Kaelani looked at her–really looked at her this time.

Something in her chest eased, the tension there loosening under the weight of Tessa’s words.

A small smile touched her lips.

“Tess, you’ve done more for me than most people in my entire life,” she said quietly. “You’re the only

person

I was ever able to trust.”

Tessa’s expression shifted–something deeper flickering there at the words.

Kaelani’s gaze drifted around the room.

Everything sat exactly as she’d left it.

moved over the furniture

Her eyes in her chest.

A quiet breath slipped from her.

the layout, the colors—familiar in a way that settled something tight

Chapter 191

It felt like home.

Her home.

Kaelani’s gaze lingere

u’ve been s

the room a moment longer before she looked back at Tessa.

by yourself?”

out a short, incredulous laugh.

only woman in the world who can live alone?” she shot back.

linked at

what–you

Then, with

“Okay, W

A hing

etely alone.”

ed at her lips.

here too. He had to head out of town for a couple nights–some last–minute job.

hild for a shop that got backed up or something.”

fted slightly.

“So Jeff is still in the picture?”

widened–soft, a little shy–as a faint blush crept into her cheeks.

er hand.

ght the light.

posed.”

blinked

a laugh broke free, bright and genuine, cutting through everything that had weighed her down.

sa…

))

He stepped forward and pulled her into a tight hug.

‘m so happy for you,” she said, holding on for a moment longer. “You deserve all the happiness.

essa let out a soft laugh against her, wiping quickly at her eyes as she pulled back.

Thank you…”

Her smile lingered–then slow

do you, Kaelani.”

ni’s smile falt

oticed

in its place

crept in uncertain, heavier.

ven go from here?”

Chapter ht

Her brows lifted slightly, curiosity sparking again.

“And what happened to Mr. Fancy Pants?”

Kaelani opened her mouth

But Tessa was already going.

“Wait-” her eyes widened, realization hitting fast. “Is he like you too?”

She leaned in slightly, studying her.

“Oh my god… he is, isn’t he? That makes so much sense!”

“Tessa-”

“Are you two like… mates?” she rushed on, hands flying as her excitement built. “I read about it in one of those werewolf romance books and—oh my god, that is so romantic-”

“Tessa-‘ >>

“But also–if he is–he was a complete fucking asshole to you-”

“Tessa.”

Kaelani’s voice cut through, firm but not unkind.

Tessa stopped mid–ramble, blinking at her.

Kaelani exhaled, the last of that lightness fading as reality pressed back in.

“It’s all… very complicated,” she said. “And I’m honestly not even supposed to be telling you any of this.”

Her gaze held Tessa’s, steady now–serious in a way it hadn’t been before.

“It’s forbidden.”

Her voice lowered slightly, the weight of it settling between them.

“And it can put you in danger.”

Tessa reached for her hand, squeezing it gently.

“Hey…” she said, softer now. “I would never tell anyone your secret. Not even Jett.”

A small shake of her head.

“Not even the men in suits who questioned me for hours about you ”

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