22 These days , Duncan either tended to matters concerning Kirsten's whereabouts or stayed at the place he used to live . As the abandoned child of the Glenn family , the place wasn't nice . Sometimes the eaves leaked when it rained , leaving the whole room damp . Even so , he liked staying there . It carried Kirsten's scent , which could somewhat calm his restless heart . Looking at the things in the room , he felt both familiarity and strangeness . It was familiar because Kirsten's presence there had made it so warm ; strange because he'd never seen any of this before . What he'd been able to feel back then was all thanks to Kirsten's patient guidance , time and again . She'd been the hope in his dark life . Duncan's feelings for her went beyond romance . They were rooted in who Kirsten was , at her core . Worried he might fall , she'd kept teaching him to walk , over and over . She'd arranged things according to his habits , just to make it easier for him to reach them . Even when he couldn't see her love , he'd truly felt it . Memories washed over Duncan . Tears fell silently down his cheeks . Then Richard called suddenly . There was news of Kirsten . It was said that she was in Australia , preparing for an interview at a design company . Duncan's nerves got tense again with this news . The days of anxious searching for Kirsten had left him on edge , but now that he knew her whereabouts , a flicker of fear stirred in him . He feared that she might never forgive him . After all , he'd failed to recognize her , even wronged her deeply . Anyone would be disappointed about it . " Book me the earliest flight possible . I'm leaving to find her now . " " But your condition isn't great for a long flight ... " Richard hesitated , glancing at Duncan as if holding back more to say . Duncan didn't care about it at all . He stood up , straightened his clothes slightly , and headed for the door . 10:14 AD Binance : Buy Bitcoin & Crypto 3.3 % Install now > Par There's the usual crypto platforms , then there's Binance . See why we're different . Menu Richard didn't dare protest further , rushing to strange the ca Togethen , they headed straight for the airpor The plane sliced through the sky , trailing a faint , wispy white contrail across the blue I were much like Duncan's heart in that moment - a mix of excitement and jittery nerves . Halfway acres the weld , though , a light drizzle began to fall in Australia . h derailed Kirsten's plans to eat outside . She'd just aced her interview and wanted to treat Darnell to a celebration dinner . Darnell noticed her upset look and hurried to comfort her . " Aren't you a whiz in the kitchen , Chef Wilkinson ? Since eating out is a hassle , let's do baked lobster with cheese at my place . How's that ? By the way , a friend sent me some hometown cheese . Let's give it a try . " His words instantly lifted the frown from Kirsten's face . I missed the hometown cheese so much ! Darnell , you're my lifesaver ! " she laughed . Then I'll make my signature garlic chicken wings for you ! " " Deal . I'll handle the dishes , " he said . They set to work right away . Sharing an umbrella , they headed to the supermarket to buy the ingredients . As they passed a puddle , a jeep sped by , its wheels sending a spray of muddy water flying . Darnell reacted instantly , pulling Kirsten , who'd been walking on the outer side , into his arms to shield her . " Watch out ! " In an instant , the two of them were just inches apart . Their noses brushed gently . Kirsten caught a whiff of his faint , woody cologne . It was the first time she'd seen Darnell so close . She thought , " His eyelashes are surprisingly long . " She stared , momentarily transfixed . Darnell's face flushed . He couldn't dare to meet her gaze , yet he hesitated to pull away . " Kirsten ? " he finally murmured softly . Kirsten jolted back to her senses , her heart racing . She forced herself to calm down and quickly changed the subject . 10:14 3.3 % AD Binance: Buy Bitcoin & Crypto Install now > PG 广告 There's the usual crypto platforms , then there's Binance . See why we're different . < 22 " The supermarket's almost here . Let's hurry , or the rain will get worse . " Darnell said nothing , just followed her , holding the umbrella steady over both of them . He found himself silently grateful that his umbrella had broken right before he left home , so they could only share one . Menu 23