Suddenly, Karina tumbled onto the man.


    She positioned herself atop him, her screams piercing the air.


    “I’ll beat you to death, you thief! How dare you enter this apartment in the light of day?”


    In a fit of rage, she lifted her hand to strike him.


    However, just as her fist was poised to connect, she paused, her eyes locking onto his face.


    “You! I recognize you!”


    There he was, unmistakable.


    This was the same man Karina had once confused with Barlow in the hospital.


    A rush of excitement colored her cheeks.


    Witnessing her reaction, he couldn’t help but smile.


    “Miss, there’s been a misunderstanding.


    I’m no thief,” he exined.


    “Then why are you here?” Karina’s brow furrowed in confusion.


    Before he could finish, another voice chimed in.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    “I’ve brought the tools you asked for.


    ”


    Karina turned toward the voice and saw Haleigh approaching.


    “Haleigh, there you are!” she eximed.


    Haleigh moved closer, her gaze shifting between the two.


    “What’s going on here?”


    She was puzzled by the sight of Carlow on the floor, Karina looming over him.


    Karina realized her actions might have been too hasty.


    She stood up and made her way over to Haleigh.


    “Haleigh, where have you been? Do you know this man?” she inquired.


    “Yes, he recently moved into my apartment building.


    His ce is just across from mine,” Haleigh exined.


    It turned out the man was indeed a new neighbor.


    Karina, watching him as he struggled to his feet, offered an awkward smile.


    “So, you’re my new neighbor.


    My apologies, I mistook you for a thief.


    ”


    Haleigh chuckled.


    “Oh, Karina, he’s not a thief.


    We had a problem with the toilet.


    Someone from downstairs came up earlier, mentioned water was leaking from their ceiling every time we flushed.


    They wondered why we hadn’t fixed it yet.


    Carlow was here to borrow some seasoning and kindly offered to help.


    ”


    Now everything made sense to Karina.


    She nced at the tools in Haleigh’s possession.


    “Did you go out to buy these tools?” she asked.


    “Yes,” Haleigh confirmed.


    “He was about to go, but I thought it would be too much trouble for him, so I decided to run to the store instead.


    ”


    Karina leaned in, whispering with a hint of concern, “Haleigh, you ought to be more cautious.


    It might not be wise to leave a stranger in your home by themselves.


    ”


    Haleigh offered a reassuring smile.


    “It’s alright.


    He struck me as a decent person.


    ” She had initially mistaken the man for her poor nephew, given their striking resemnce.


    Karina understood Haleigh’s feelingspletely, as she _ had experienced the same sense of familiarity.


    Yet, caution lingered in her mind.


    This man was, after all, still an unknown to her.


    “Carlow, are you alright?” Haleigh’s voice carried a note of worry as she noticed him massaging his legs.