Chapter 32
Chapter 32:
Shirley stared at her even longer, suspicion sharpening in her gaze. Something was absolutely wrong. And it looked as though Aleena was going to have to uncover the truth herself.
Behind the house, there was a stretch of open land that Shirley and Aleena occasionally used as a small garden, growing simple vegetables that always came in useful in the kitchen.
Once Aleena finished her work at the company that morning, she brought Kailey outside, following the quiet suggestion Shirley had planted earlier.
Kailey sat off to the side with the garden hose in her hands, idly shifting her finger over the nozzle just to watch the water change direction and scatter across the soil. Aleena pulled on her gloves and worked steadily, but her eyes kept drifting toward Kailey with a quiet, unguarded warmth.
She had never had a daughter of her own. When Ryan had asked her and her husband to adopt Kailey, it had filled a space in her heart she had tried not to acknowledge.
𝘜𝗽𝖽𝘢𝘵𝗲𝗌 𝗲𝘷𝘦𝗿y 𝘄𝗲𝖾𝗄 𝗈𝘯.со𝗺
“Kailey,” she said gently.
Kailey looked up. “Yeah p>
“Did Ryan do something that hurt you p>
Kailey’s fingers loosened, and the strong stream of water collapsed without warning, splashing straight down and soaking the dirt near her shoes. A shallow groove formed in the mud where it pooled.
Aleena watched the small mess, then let out a quiet sigh. Her voice was calm. “Shirley wanted me to distract you, but you’re not a child anymore. You’re allowed to feel things. If he crossed a line, you don’t have to force closeness. I just want to understand, so I can help you make sense of it.” She softened even more. “But if you don’t want to talk, that’s alright too p>
Kailey hadn’t truly believed anything was wrong—not until she heard Aleena speak so gently, and her eyes began to sting.
How could she explain it when, deep down, she knew Ryan hadn’t done anything truly cruel? He simply didn’t love her the way she had once hoped. Olivia’s actions were Olivia’s own. She had known all along that Ryan wasn’t obligated to put her first. She had to accept that feelings weren’t always returned.
“I’m fine. Honestly.” Kailey blinked back the emotion and forced a small smile. “Mom, I think I’ve just realized I can’t keep depending on Uncle Ryan for everything anymore. I’m not little. One day he’ll have his own family, and I need to learn how to stand on my own p>
Aleena understood immediately. A quiet sigh slipped out of her, filled with both compassion and a kind of gentle resignation.
She had never been a traditional thinker, but she understood one thing clearly—love could not be forced.
She removed her gloves, stepped closer, and rested her hand softly on Kailey’s head. Her voice was almost tender. “Kailey, you’ve grown into such a thoughtful and beautiful young woman. One day, someone is going to love you exactly the way you deserve. I can’t wait to see that happen p>
Kailey lifted her chin and nodded with quiet certainty. “I know, Mom p>
Aleena stayed beside her, and they talked for a long while.