Chapter 254

“Kayla, take it easy. Just breathe and tell me what’s going on,” Tuff said softly, wrapping his arms around Kayla.

Tuff gently pulled Kayla into his arms, comforting her in a soft, soothing voice.

After the surgery to remove the chip, Kayla hadn’t regained her memories right away.

But today, everything came rushing back.

No one knew what exactly she remembered–she just kept trembling, and when Tuff asked her about it, she just stayed silent.

All he could do was patiently comfort her and wait for Landon to get home.

“Where’s Dr. Shawn? I want to see him,” Kayla sobbed, unable to control her emotions.

Tuff frowned.

He really didn’t like Brian–that guy had been crushing on Kayla for years…

Compared to Brian, Tuff always felt like he was just the new guy.

They’d even gotten into a brawl just a few days ago.

“Tuff…” Kayla called out, her voice shaky.

“Alright, I’ll call him,” Tuff replied.

For Kayla’s sake, Tuff gritted his teeth and called Brian. “Hey, Dr. Shawn, Kayla’s memories have come back. She wants you to come over.”

“I’m not coming,” Brian replied flatly.

Brian actually refused!

Tuff gritted his teeth and said, “I’m sorry about punching you the other day.”

“That’s not enough,” Brian said.

“What do you want, then?” Tuff asked.

Tuff’s temples throbbed–he was itching to punch Brian again.

“I want to be Landen’s godfather,” Brian said.

Tuff took a deep breath.

He was already just the stepdad, and now Brian wanted to be the godfather? Stepdad versus godfather–did that mean they’d be equals now? Tuff hated the thought.

“If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up,” Brian said.

“Alright, you win. Deal. Just get over here,” Tuff said quickly.

Chapter 254

Half an hour later, Brian arrived at Kingsley Manor.

Kayla was still a mess, but seeing him seemed to calm her down a little. “Dr. Shawn, I remember everything now…”

“That’s great. It means you’re fully recovered,” Brian said with a gentle smile.

There was an almost holy light about him, an aura that made Kayla feel completely at ease.

Ignoring Tuff’s presence, she rushed over, almost tripping over herself, and grabbed Brian’s hand tightly. “Brian…”

“It’s me,” Brian said.

Brian’s smile grew even warmer.

Tuff was stunned. ‘Is Brian also a survivor of the spy organization?‘ he wondered.

“I’m sorry I forgot you…” Kayla said.

“It’s alright. We’ve always been together,” Brian replied softly.

Brian comforted her softly, just like he had every time she broke down over the years.

“Brian, my… my brother…” Kayla stammered, her whole body shaking.

Even though the organization had trained them to be spies, it was the only place she could rely on to survive after being kidnapped.

It had once felt like home.

There were her adoptive parents, and their son, Brian.

But Landon, acting for the greater good, had wiped out the entire organization. He’d killed Brian’s parents…

Tuff finally understood why Kayla had been so shaken after regaining her memories.

They’d killed Brian’s real parents–they’d destroyed his family.

Even though it had been an order from above, even though it was the right thing to do, Tuff still felt a pang of guilt facing Brian now.

Brian and Kayla were childhood friends, the only ones each other could depend on.

If Brian couldn’t forgive them, Kayla would never be able to let it go.

“Janice, he did what was right. I don’t blame him,” Brian said.

For the first time, Brian didn’t call her “Miss Kingsley“-he used her old code name from the organization.

Kayla’s whole body trembled, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked up at him. “Brian…”

Chapter 254

“From now on, you’re Miss Kingsley, and I’m just a doctor. Let’s not bring up the past anymore,” Brian said with a gentle smile, his warmth and understanding like that of an older brother.

With his comfort, Kayla finally calmed down.

“Ahem!” Tuff cleared his throat, handing each of them a glass of water. “Why don’t we all sit down and talk?”

Kayla cleared her throat, and after a long pause, she asked, “How long until Landon gets home?”

“They’re on a private jet and will be here in about three hours,” Tuff replied.

“Alright,” Kayla said.

She took a deep breath and finished the rest of her water. “When he gets back, let’s talk about the kidnapping from back then.”

Tuff’s curiosity was at its peak, but having to wait another three hours left him a bit frustrated. “Wasn’t it their organization that kidnapped you?”

“No,” Kayla said.

Her fingers tightened around the glass, and Tuff, worried she might crush it and hurt herself, quickly took it away from her.

Brian crossed his legs, shot Tuff a look, and suddenly grinned. “Miss Kingsley’s a real handful, huh?”

“I don’t mind at all!” Tuff shot back, glaring at Brian.

‘Even if you are her Brian, you can’t just mess with me like that in front of her!‘ Tuff thought.

“Good to hear,” Brian said with a knowing smile.

Tuff felt uneasy, thinking, ‘Is this guy trying to steal my wife from me?‘

“Kayla, Landen’s home from school,” Gloria called from downstairs.

At the mention of her son, Kayla’s face finally softened into a smile, her motherly love washing away all the bad feelings.

“You should go spend some time with Landen. We’ll wait for Landon to get back,” Brian said.

“Alright,” Kayla replied.

To make sure her son didn’t notice anything was wrong, Kayla quickly fixed her makeup before heading downstairs.

Now, only the two rivals were left in the room.

Tuff felt seriously uneasy, his nerves on edge.

Brian said, “Janice’s been struggling with depression.”

“What?” Tuff’s heart thudded in his chest, “No wonder she was in such a bad state just now…”

“She developed depression after she came to my family. I went into medicine just so I could help her,” Brian said quietly.

With every word, Tuff’s heart gave a jolt.

“She was just eight when she showed up at my house, all bruised and battered, with no memory of who she was.

Chapter 254

“She kept insisting she wanted to go home, to find her parents and her brother.

“But she had no idea where her home was, or even who her parents were.

“So, we took her in and just waited, hoping her family would come looking for her.

“Day after day, year after year, no one ever came looking for her. But life had to go on.

“So, my parents put her into the training program. They taught her how to fight, how to shoot, and everything else she needed to survive.

“She was smart and talented–easily the best among all the kids. She completed every mission perfectly.

“Until the Flying Tiger Sect arrived…”

Brian didn’t say anything more.

For him, those memories were of a broken home–something so painful, he could barely stand to think about it.

Tuff rubbed his hands together awkwardly. “Honestly, it’s amazing you can even understand us. You’re a really good guy.”

“I could’ve just held onto the grudge, but Landon is her real brother,” Brian said, a flash of pain in his eyes.

It took him a long time to finally let go of his need for revenge–all for the woman he loved.

Tuff sighed inwardly.

All of a sudden, he couldn’t help but feel a newfound respect for Brian.

If it weren’t for him, maybe Brian and Kayla really would have ended up together.

“You’re a good guy,” Tuff said, giving his shoulder a pat. “I’ll always be grateful for your generosity–just like everyone in the Kingsley family.”

“Treat her well.” Brian shoved Tuff’s hand aside.

Tuff felt a bit awkward. “I promise, you have my word.”

Brian said nothing more, leaning back on the couch and closing his eyes to wait.

‘Who on earth was behind Kayla’s kidnapping all those years ago, leaving her battered and bruised on Brian’s doorstep?‘ Tuff wondered.