Chapter 248
Chapter 248:
A bottle of whiskey sat open on the table. Olivia picked it up and poured herself half a glass, then lifted it and lightly tapped it against his. “Now that I think about it, this is our first trip together, isn’t it p>
“Yeah,” Ryan answered, clearly distracted.
“Then let’s hope we spend many more days and nights like this.” Without waiting for his response, she tilted her head back and drained the glass.
The golden liquid slid down her throat, burning fiercely, as if she were forcing herself to swallow every trace of bitterness and frustration.
After two glasses, a faint flush crept into her cheeks. She looked up and found him staring at his phone, his expression distant, his eyes dark and unreadable.
A smile tugged at her lips, but there was no warmth in it.
Just as she opened her mouth to speak, he set his glass down first. “Olivia, I need to make a call. Stay here p>
He walked toward the balcony with his phone in hand. The door closed behind him, and she heard the soft click of the lock.
𝘋іѕс𝗼𝘃𝖾𝘳 𝗵і𝘥𝘥е𝗇 𝗀emѕ 𝗼𝗇
That small sound felt like a spark dropped into dry grass. The storm inside her rose instantly.
Outside, the night air was cold. The breeze brushed against Ryan’s face, and for some reason, it cleared his thoughts. He unlocked his phone and stared at the name “Kailey” on the screen. His thumb hovered there for a second — then he moved away and dialed another number instead.
The call connected quickly. “Mr. Owen, calling this late. Do you need something p>
“It’s nothing urgent,” Ryan said evenly. “How has Kailey been lately p>
Lionel knew exactly why Ryan was calling and laughed lightly. “She’s been fine. Going to work like always. What could possibly be wrong? You saw her a few days ago, didn’t you p>
He had. And she had been sharper than ever.
Ryan couldn’t explain what he was feeling. It irritated him enough to make his jaw tighten, yet he had no idea how to deal with it. His lips pressed together before he finally spoke. “Ask her where she’ll be tomorrow. I want to see her p>
Lionel nearly asked why he didn’t just contact her himself. He wisely kept that thought to himself. “Alright. When do you want me to arrange it — in the morning p>
“Just get the address,” Ryan said. “Don’t tell her I’m the one asking p>
Lionel agreed without hesitation, added a few brief comments about work, and ended the call.
Ryan stayed on the balcony for a while after that. He had never liked Aslesall much. He used to think the place was cold and uninviting. At some point, that feeling had changed.
Maybe it started when Kailey came here.
The thought made him frown. He resisted it instinctively.
Inside the room, Olivia clenched her glass so tightly her fingers turned white. She stared at his back as he leaned against the railing, her gaze sharp and unsettling. That call had to be about Kailey. So he still had feelings for her.
Olivia let out a quiet, humorless laugh. No matter how unwilling he was to let go, she would never allow them to reconcile.