Chapter 384
Chapter 384:
Rayden scoffed. “Kyson asked you to drink, not me p>
“You p>
Their argument rolled back and forth, and restless excitement filled the room.
Every muscle in Kailey’s body worked to stay calm, and she forced herself not to notice the person who kept drawing her attention. Wherever her eyes settled, the same sharp stare seemed to follow her, the feeling crawling along her spine like a line of tiny needles.
A quiet breath left her chest. “I need to step out to the restroom for a moment p>
Kyson tightened his grip around her chilled fingers. “Do you want me to walk with you p>
“You should stay here and have fun. I’ll be back in a bit p>
Once Kailey crossed the doorway, the air outside still felt heavy, yet relief loosened the tightness in her chest. Following the restroom signs, she walked down a narrow corridor where dim lights stretched her shadow thin across the walls. She ran clean water over her hands, and afterward wandered out to a balcony, where she lowered herself into a seat.
𝗦𝘩a𝗋е yo𝘶𝗿 𝗳𝖺𝘃𝗼𝗋𝘪tеѕ 𝗳𝗿𝘰𝘮
Idleness crept in, so she sent Nora a message asking why she hadn’t shown up that day. A voice reply came through her speaker, and loud noise in the background hinted that Nora was traveling. “I planned to be there, but I couldn’t make it. An emergency forced me to leave the country. Do you miss me p>
Kailey hesitated for a moment before admitting that she did. No wonder Nora had been absent the day before as well.
Wind rushed across the balcony and tossed Kailey’s hair around her face.
Returning to the private room held no appeal, yet slipping away without saying anything to Kyson felt painfully awkward. Indecision still weighed on her thoughts when the rhythm of approaching footsteps reached her from behind.
Her body locked in place, and the movement of her fingers against the phone stopped at once.
During certain fragile moments, an eerie instinct crept into a person’s mind, fear sharpening that warning until it felt impossible to ignore. One second passed, then another. Time dragged forward, and each heartbeat stretched into what felt like forever.
A low breath escaped Lyman. “Kailey, are you trying to erase me from your life p>
That familiar voice tightened the muscles in her neck, and it took effort before she could face him. “That is not what I’m doing p>
“If that’s true, why are you hiding out here?” he asked.
Kailey didn’t know how to respond. She was, indeed, hiding from him.
Lyman studied the young woman in front of him, and the years between them showed in the way she carried herself. The bright energy of her youth had faded, and a quiet, magnetic charm had taken its place. A faint crease touched his brow, and he moved closer before lowering himself into the seat beside her.