Chapter 139
Chapter 139:
Kailey’s brows drew together. Why did she need to go to his room? She had assumed Ryan would be waiting downstairs. After thanking the receptionist, she turned and headed for the elevator.
Even the hallways of the five-star hotel carried a faint, refined scent. Following the directions she had been given, she located the room number, took a steadying breath, and pressed the doorbell. When there was no immediate response, Kailey rang it again.
A soft click sounded moments later.
The door opened to reveal Ryan standing there, and Kailey froze. He looked freshly showered, a bathrobe hanging loosely around him, water still dripping from his hair, sliding past his collarbones and disappearing against his chest.
Startled, her eyes widened before she quickly turned away. “Don’t you think you should put on something decent before answering the door p>
Ryan frowned slightly as he looked at her, his voice low and serious. “Why are you acting shy around me? I’m not naked. Come inside p>
Kailey pressed her lips together, waiting until he stepped aside before reluctantly walking into the room.
Once he finished showering, much of Ryan’s earlier anger had faded. He grabbed a towel to dry his hair and tightened the belt of his robe as he spoke. “Running off to Aslesall without a word — what exactly were you thinking p>
Kailey pressed her lips together, her unspoken answer clear to herself. She wanted to leave him. That was all. Lowering her gaze to her hands, she avoided saying it outright. “I want to learn how to stand on my own. If I stayed in Jucridge, I’d inevitably keep relying on the care you all give me p>
𝖱𝘦ad 𝗳𝗋e𝘦 𝗻𝘰𝘷𝗲𝗹𝘴 on 𝘨𝘢lո𝗼𝗏𝖾lѕ.co𝘮
Ryan stopped mid-motion, his eyes locking onto her with sharp focus. “That’s it p>
“It is.” Kailey forced a small smile. “Besides, aren’t you about to get engaged? Your attention should be on Olivia and the family you’re building, not on me p>
Those words were sincere, yet Ryan took them as the sole reason she had chosen to leave for Aslesall. His brows tightened as he flung the towel aside in irritation. “Does it really have to come to this, Kailey p>
His voice carried restrained anger, and Kailey instinctively tensed. “If I actually get married, what then? Do you plan to disappear entirely? What are you really trying to do p>
Hearing those same words once more, Kailey shut her eyes, a dull emptiness washing over her. What she truly wanted was to ask Ryan what he expected from her. When she stayed by his side, every day brought nothing but scolding or cautionary words. Even after she walked away entirely, it still failed to satisfy him.
Unable to tolerate it any longer, Kailey suddenly rose to her feet. “Uncle Ryan, you’re too full of yourself p>
Ryan froze, shock flickering across his face as he struggled to respond.
Without stopping, Kailey added, “I’ve already told you that I’ve moved on from my feelings for you. Letting go means I won’t invest any more energy in you. Whatever future you choose is yours alone, and it has nothing to do with me. Do you understand that p>