Chapter 12
Chapter 12:
“You certainly don’t lack confidence,” Nora remarked, arching an eyebrow as a slow smile curved her lips. “I can’t wait to see how this plays out p>
She ended the call, quietly amused. Kyson lingered a moment, turning his phone over between his fingers. Then he opened his messages and typed a note to the contact pinned at the top.
“All done with your treatment p>
Kailey had just settled into the car when her phone buzzed. She couldn’t help but smile as she read his message.
“All done. Nora’s massage was incredible—I didn’t feel a thing the whole time. Thank you, Kyson p>
Kyson gave a small laugh at her reply. After a pause, he wrote back, “If it helps, you should keep going. Nora always has time for you. Think of it as giving her a bit more practice p>
Kailey’s smile widened as she read his response. Knowing how comfortably the two of them got along put her at ease.
𝗧h𝗲 b𝖾st 𝗋е𝘃іе𝘸ѕ oո
“She said next time you’re back, we should both visit together p>
Kyson’s eyes caught the word “we,” and a quiet smile crossed his lips, his gaze brightening.
Their conversation drifted on in easy banter until Kailey’s phone flashed a low-battery warning. She sent one last message to wind things down.
“I’ll let you go for now. Need to rest and start packing. Goodnight, Kyson p>
The reality of moving to Aslesall settled over her as she looked around her room that evening. It was time to sort through her belongings and decide what to bring. As for everything else, she doubted Ryan or Olivia would want any of it—she would need to figure out what to do with what she left behind.
The afternoon light had already faded by the time she arrived home. She plugged in her phone and lost herself in sorting through her things, the hours slipping away unnoticed. It wasn’t until the housekeeper came upstairs to call her for dinner that she realized how dark it had grown outside.
Phone in hand, Kailey followed the housekeeper downstairs.
“Mr. Owen called earlier. He said he won’t be home for dinner tonight,” the housekeeper said, watching Kailey’s face with quiet concern. “Kailey, why not just talk to him? He sounded upset on the phone—probably because you haven’t been answering his messages p>
Kailey glanced down at her screen. Sure enough, it was filled with missed calls and unread messages, all from Ryan. Without a word, she cleared the notifications and replied softly, “I must not have heard them p>
The housekeeper, who had always treated Kailey like family, offered a gentle, heartfelt caution. “You’re still young. You’ll meet so many more people as time goes on. Don’t let yourself be weighed down by the past p>
Kailey felt the warmth of it and wrapped her arms around the woman’s shoulders. “I’ll be alright, I promise p>
She had already made up her mind to move on. Whatever happened in Ryan’s world from now on was no longer her concern.