Love Across the Light Years -The Devil CEO Indulges My Lies.-Chapter 82: Was that your way of wishing me luck?

He had moved on with Clara —Xavier had accepted it.

He liked her. He could spend the rest of his life with her happily —he had accepted that too.

And yet, every time the mere thought of Adelyn surfaced, it made him waver. It made him reconsider.

Just like now.

Even an illusion of her presence was enough to make him forget everything —to run after her without thinking.

Just like that last time.

And just like he was about to do again.

"Adelyn ..." He murmured under his breath, his hands already moving to unfasten his seatbelt before pushing the door open.

He didn’t wait.

He just ran ...

Following his instinct —following the familiar figure —until he caught her by the arm.

The woman paused.

And so did he.

His breathing uneven —partly from the sudden rush, partly from the anticipation of finally having her within his arm’s length.

His heart pounded as he called out to her, his voice carrying the same affection it always had.

"Linnie."

However, just then —

The woman turned and looked at him.

Her brows furrowed in confusion at first before recognition slowly dawned in her eyes.

"Dr. Colsen ... how may I help you?"

There was admiration in her gaze.

But it only made Xavier frown.

The light in his eyes dinned as he withdrew his hand and stepped back.

"_—I’m sorry. I mistook you for someone else."

The woman didn’t seem bothered at all. If anything, she looked pleased.

After all, being approached by someone like Dr. Xavier Colsen wasn’t actually a misfortune.

She shook her head with a smile.

"It’s not a problem, Dr. Colsen. I’m one of your biggest fans. I’ve never missed any of your interviews or news about you. Can I —"

Her words cut off midway as Clara stepped in.

Her arms slipped smoothly —yet possessively —around Xavier’s arm.

"Xavi," she called softly, "you’re still here? I thought you had already left."

Xavier blinked, momentarily pulled out of his thoughts.

He glanced at her, slightly taken aback —but quickly composed himself.

"I was about to leave."

Clara nodded, then shifted her gaze toward the woman.

"And this is ...?"

The woman quickly introduced. "I’m Seline ... Seline Toff. I don’t know what good fortune I earned to meet both of you like this. I truly admire you —both individually and as a couple."

The news of them being together wasn’t a secret.

Almost everyone in Ashvale was aware of their upcoming engagement.

"That’s really sweet of you, Seline." Clara said with a warm smile. "Are you here as the part of the crew, or —?"

"Oh, I’m here for the audition," Seline replied quickly. "I’m new to the industry, so you might not know me yet."

Clara shook her head and gently tapped her shoulder. "You will soon be popular. Trust me."

Seline knew it was likely just polite encouragement —but it still made her smile. "I hope so."

Clara returned the smile.

"Oh, by the way —have you checked in with the crew yet?"

It sounded like a reminder, but it was a cue to leave.

Seline understood.

"Oh —no, not yet. I’ll go now."

Clara nodded.

And with that, Seline left.

As she walked away, Clara turned to Xavier. Her eyes held questions —ones he clearly understood.

But chose not to answer.

Just then —

His phone rang.

Xavier pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and answered briefly.

After disconnecting, he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Clara’s forehead —one that conveyed reassurance.

"I need to go now. Take care."

Clara didn’t question him, knowing he didn’t want to answer. She simply nodded before watching him leave.

As Xavier walked back to his car, he paused in his step before getting inside.

His gaze drifted toward the direction where he had seen that familiar silhouette earlier.

He searched.

But this time —there was nothing.

Frowning slightly, he didn’t linger.

He got into the car and started the engine.

His eyes met with Clara’s once more.

With a small sigh, he gave a brief wave before driving away.

As the car disappeared into the distance. Maria, Clara’s assistant, approached her.

"Dr. Colsen ran off like that just now —was it something important?" she asked.

Clara didn’t respond.

Maria didn’t think much about her silence. She simply said, "You know people around saw you two just now. They can’t stop talking about it. I must say —Dr. Colsen really knows how to make people envy you."

Usually, words like that would have made Clara blush.

But not today.

Not because she had grown tired of hearing them —

But because she had seen it clearly.

The look in Xavier’s eyes.

That urgency.

That desperation

It hadn’t been her.

It had been for someone else.

"Clara?" Maria called, noticing her silence. "What are you thinking about?"

Clara snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head.

"It’s nothing. Let’s go inside."

Maria nodded, and two of them headed in.

—————

Meanwhile —

Adelyn had just stepped out of the car and was about to leave when she felt her sleeve being tugged from behind.

She turned to see Eira holding onto her.

"Aunt Ade-lyn," the little girl called, raising her hand and curling her finger to beckon her closer.

Adelyn didn’t refuse.

She stepped forward and bent down slightly.

"Hmm?"

Eira leaned in and pressed a soft kiss against her cheek.

Adelyn stilled for a moment —caught off guard —but quickly recovered.

Looking at her, she smiled.

"Was that your way of wishing me luck?"

Eira nodded.

Adelyn smiled more brightly and kissed her cheek in return.

"Thank you, baby. That’s the sweetest wish I’ve received. I’ll do well."

She straightened and turned to Dylan.

"Thank you, Mr. Warren. Without you, I might not have made it in time."

She offered him a small smile before checking time on her watch.

"It’s already time. I should go."

With that, she was about to turn and leave.

But before she could, Dylan stopped her.

"Wait."

Adelyn paused and looked back only to see him getting out of the car.

She didn’t understand why —until he walked toward her.

Instinctively, she took a step back.

But before she could move further, his hand caught her arm, holding her in place.

"Mr. Warren, you —"

She couldn’t finish.

Her words paused halfway when his lips pressed gently against her forehead, freezing her entire soul at once.