Chapter 41
Chapter 41:
“You’re up already, Kailey?” A bright smile curved Olivia’s lips. “Ryan explained everything last night. I misunderstood you, and I’m truly sorry. You’re not still upset with me, are you p>
Uncertain what Olivia was playing at but having no particular desire to hold onto the conflict, Kailey replied, “You don’t need to worry. I’m not upset p>
“That’s such a relief. I was worried sick all night—barely slept.” Olivia let out a small breath, her shoulders visibly easing. “Ryan also told me—the emerald amulet he gave me actually belonged to your mother. I had no idea. Give me a moment. I’ll go get it p>
Kailey watched in stunned silence, suspicion sharpening her gaze as she studied Olivia’s earnest expression. Had something changed? What possible reason could she have for returning the amulet herself?
Moments later, Olivia reappeared with a small velvet jewelry box cradled carefully in both hands. Warmth softened her features as she stepped closer. “Kailey, I know I’ve hurt you more than once. Let’s settle everything today and try to start over, alright p>
𝖮𝘳𝗴𝘢𝘯𝘪𝗓𝗲 𝘺𝗼𝘶r 𝘭𝗂𝘣𝗋𝖺𝗿𝘆 o𝘯
A long, searching look passed between them before Kailey raised an eyebrow. “Did you hit your head or something p>
Olivia’s mouth curved into a controlled smile. “Here, take it p>
Just as Kailey extended her hand, Olivia’s wrist drifted aside with calculated carelessness, and the jewelry box slipped free, striking the floor with a sharp, echoing crack.
“Oh no. Kailey, why didn’t you grab it properly?” Olivia gasped, pressing a hand to her cheek. “Look what happened p>
Kailey’s heart lurched, her outstretched hand frozen in the air.
Drawing a shaky breath, she slowly curled her trembling fingers, sank to her knees, and lifted the box with painstaking care. When she opened the lid, the emerald amulet lay inside in three broken fragments.
Silent tears slipped from her reddened eyes and fell softly against the floor.
Above her, Olivia dropped her gaze, a faint triumphant glimmer moving through her eyes. “Kailey, didn’t you say that emerald amulet meant everything to you? How careless could you be to drop it like that? The last keepsake your mother ever left you, completely destroyed p>
Before the last word fully left her lips, Kailey rose in one swift, controlled motion.
In the very next instant, her palm cracked across Olivia’s cheek with a sharp, ringing snap that sent her staggering sideways.
Clutching her stinging face, Olivia whipped her head back in stunned outrage. “You actually hit me p>
“Do I need permission before I lay a hand on you p>
Though Kailey’s eyes were rimmed with red, the last of her tears had already dried.
She held Olivia in an icy stare and enunciated each word low and deliberate. “This is your final warning. Provoke me again, and you’ll find out for yourself whether those rumors about me being reckless are true p>
As far as she was concerned, Olivia was welcome to chase after Ryan. But dragging her mother’s treasured keepsake into the conflict was a line she never should have crossed.
Fingers pressed tightly against the edges of the jewelry box, Kailey strode past Olivia with stiff-backed composure.
Halfway by, her steps halted without warning.