By the time Sloane got home that night, Kaelen was already asleep.

She stood before his closed door for a long time, let out a soft sigh, and went to her own room.

She woke early to make breakfast. When Kaelen came down from his morning meditation, she had just finished.

His deep voice broke the silence. "Why are you cooking? Where's Martha?"

She looked up and smiled. "I'm taking the month off, remember? I gave Martha, the driver, everyone a vacation. I'll take care of you."

"Oh, and I've already arranged for the stupa construction and the charity funds. You don't have to worry about a thing."

If this didn't work, this month would be their last time together. She didn't want anyone else around.

Kaelen frowned slightly.

Sloane saw his displeasure, and a bitter taste filled her mouth.

But she forced a cheerful tone. "Come on, eat. I made your favorite side dishes."

Kaelen sat at the table. She handed him a bowl of plain porridge, revealing an angry red burn on the back of her otherwise flawless hand.

"What happened to your hand?" he asked.

Hearing his concern, a warmth and hope she couldn't suppress bloomed in her chest.

At least he wasn't completely oblivious to her.

She pulled her hand back into her sleeve. Having been pampered her whole life, she'd never cooked before.

She shook her head lightly. "It's nothing. I just wasn't paying attention and got scalded. I'll put some ointment on it."

Kaelen took a sip of the porridge and put the bowl down, his face a mask of indifference.

"This is inedible. Don't waste food in the future. Stop with these self-congratulatory acts."

Sloane, who had been smiling just a moment before, froze in her seat.

She had tasted it. It wasn't chef-quality, but it certainly wasn't that bad.

Taking a deep breath, she lowered her eyes to hide the mist forming in them. "Fine. I'll call Green Earth Kitchen and have them deliver some vegetarian food."

The food arrived quickly.

After they ate, Sloane asked Kaelen, "I'm going to the Sanctuary to deliver the relic. Do you want to come with me?"

Kaelen paused, then grunted, "Mm."

Sloane was used to his silence, but a faint sense of disappointment still pricked at her.

The Sanctuary was on South Mountain, on the outskirts of the city.

By the time they drove there, it was almost noon.

Sloane stared at the familiar, towering flight of stairs, lost in thought. You had to climb all 999 steps to reach the Sanctuary at the top.

Most people would be exhausted for days after climbing it once, so unless you were a truly devout pilgrim, you took the cable car.

Stepping onto the first stair, she smiled and tried to make conversation with Kaelen. "This feels so familiar. I used to climb this over and over again just to see you."

She had lost count of how many times. She only remembered seeing these steps in spring, summer, and fall; in sun, wind, rain, and snow.

Until five years ago, when Kaelen left his spiritual path.

She had stood at the bottom of these stairs, waiting for the first time for her god to descend from his altar.

Remembering the past, she smiled, but tears welled in her eyes.

But Kaelen was oblivious to her roiling emotions. His expression remained cool. "And do you know how many times I went into seclusion just to avoid you?"

"I know," Sloane said with a genuine smile. "But just being in a place where I could breathe the same air as you made me feel at peace."

She never disturbed him, just sat on the other side of his meditation room door, keeping him company for an entire day.

A flicker of something appeared in Kaelen's eyes, but it was shattered by a woman's voice from behind them.

"Kaelen, you're here!"

Sloane turned and frowned when she saw it was Willa.

Hadn't she arranged for someone to handle the foundation matters with Willa, to keep her away?

Suddenly, Willa's foot slipped, and she fell straight into Kaelen's arms.

And Kaelen, without a moment's hesitation, reached out and caught the petite girl.

He helped her stand, his tone gentle. "Why are you so careless?"

Willa stuck out her tongue. "You know I'm not athletic. I saw you from a distance and wanted to say hi."

Kaelen's brow furrowed. He said to Willa, "Let's take the cable car. I'll go with you."

As he was about to leave, he seemed to remember someone else was there and looked at Sloane.

"Willa had heart surgery. She can't do strenuous exercise."

Sloane said nothing, just stared at him.

He hesitated for a moment. "The cable car only fits two. You're used to climbing, aren't you? I'll wait for you at the Sanctuary."

With that, he led Willa toward the cable car station.

Sloane stood frozen for a long time, until a cable car glided through the air not far away.

She could clearly see the people inside. It was Kaelen and Willa.

Willa met her gaze and, in a gesture of pure provocation, leaned in and kissed Kaelen.

And Kaelen... didn't refuse.