Chapter 572
Chapter 572:
It was a man. He wore a suit. His face was hard to see from that distance, yet even as a child, she sensed something heavy about him. He carried himself like someone used to control.
She sat quietly, sipping her water, watching her mother walk up to the man. They exchanged a few words, and then the exchange turned into a quarrel. The next second, the man reached out and grabbed Alissa by the throat.
Kailey froze. Fear locked her body in place. She wanted to scream, but no sound came out.
After a struggle, Alissa managed to break free.
і𝗇𝘵𝖾𝗇𝗌𝘦 𝗋𝗼𝗺a𝗇𝘤e 𝗈𝘯
It was the first time Kailey had ever seen that look on her mother’s face — anger and helplessness tangled together in her eyes.
The man left soon after.
Alissa took a moment to steady herself before returning. By the time she reached Kailey, her smile was back in place. She wrapped her arms around her daughter. “Did I scare you? Don’t worry. Mommy was just acting. Remember the play we saw last time? It was like that. Just pretend p>
Kailey blinked up at her, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Weren’t you mad, Mommy p>
She had been too young to see how adults wrapped the truth in quiet reassurances, and she didn’t yet understand that love could arrive carrying its own secrets.
Alissa shook her head and denied it, then quickly changed the subject, distracting her with something else.
The dream faded without warning.
Kailey’s eyes opened halfway. She realized she was in someone’s arms — Lyman was carrying her. Each step he took made her sway slightly, and the movement left her feeling unsteady.
“Put me down p>
She struggled lightly until he lowered her to the ground.
The alcohol hadn’t fully left her system. Her head still spun, but she was no longer as drowsy as before. She steadied herself with effort. Lyman studied her face. “Are you sober now p>
“I think so.” Kailey hesitated, unsure how much she had said earlier. “Thanks for bringing me back. I can go upstairs by myself. You don’t have to trouble yourself p>
She walked into the house, her thoughts still tangled in the dream. Who was that man? Why had he tried to hurt her mother? In all her memories, Alissa had never had enemies.
When she reached the stairs, she gripped the railing and climbed slowly. Halfway up, she paused and pressed her fingers against her temple. A sharp ache throbbed behind her eyes.
She barely slept that night. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t find answers.
Before seven the next morning, Kailey went downstairs and asked the housekeeper for coffee. The strong bitterness cleared her head a little.
The housekeeper mentioned that after Kailey had gone upstairs, Lyman had left again and hadn’t returned to the villa.
Kailey didn’t react. If anything, she hoped he would stay away.
Just then, Shawn stepped into the dining room. His tone remained respectful. “Ms. Evans, Mr. Molina is here p>
In the living room, Kailey asked the housekeeper to prepare a pot of coffee before taking a seat across from Gregg.