Chapter 394
Chapter 394:
“I was still so young back then. What you did to me — it messed with my head for a long time. Still, if anyone else had been there that day, I would’ve been just as terrified.” If it had been any other boy who had done such a horrible thing to her, she would have called the police without a second thought.
“I don’t exactly hate you,” she continued, her voice firm yet restrained. “But I’m not generous enough to pretend nothing ever happened, either. Can’t we just keep a reasonable distance from each other?” With Kyson woven into both their lives, cutting Lyman off entirely was never going to be realistic. Forming any kind of close bond, however, felt equally unnecessary.
Silence settled over Lyman as he stood motionless, saying nothing.
His gaze lingered on her as gusts of wind tossed her long hair into restless disarray. The fluttering hem of her pale dress skimmed her ankles, offering fleeting glimpses of her legs with every sharp breeze. Despite the bright sunlight spilling across the pavement, the lingering winter cold still bit through the air.
𝖱𝗼𝘮𝗮n𝖼𝘦 𝗮n𝖽 𝘱𝖺ѕ𝘴i𝘰ո оn.с𝗈𝘮
Without a word, he shrugged off his jacket and stepped closer, settling the warm fabric gently over Kailey’s shoulders.
She started to protest, but his steady palm held her in place, and his husky voice brushed past her ear. “It’s cold. Don’t get sick p>
Kailey couldn’t believe it. Had everything she said just moments ago meant absolutely nothing?
Only when she remained still beneath the jacket did his hand finally fall away.
Draped in nothing but a black shirt, his tall, straight-backed silhouette seemed even more austere and intimidating, an air of icy arrogance clinging to him like a second skin. “If you’re not hungry, you don’t have to eat,” he said evenly, slipping his phone from his pocket. “Give me your number p>
Instinct tightened her voice. “I don’t think that’s necessary p>
“I insist.” His long, sharply knuckled fingers pushed the phone a little closer.
A sinking realization settled in her chest. Unless she did as he asked, he likely wouldn’t let her walk away.
Jaw tightening, she grabbed his phone and saved her number with clear reluctance, a thin edge of mockery curling through her voice. “Lyman, I never imagined that after all these years, you’d perfected the art of being shameless p>
Expression unmoved, he answered flatly, “I picked up that habit from Kyson p>
He slipped the phone back into his pocket. “Where are you headed? I can give you a ride p>
“That won’t be necessary. You should mind your own affairs.” Forcing a brittle smile, Kailey shrugged off the jacket in one swift motion and returned it to him. “I’d appreciate it if you avoided any misleading gestures from now on. My husband tends to get jealous p>
The moment she pivoted away, the polite curve on her lips vanished, and her heels carried her off in brisk, determined strides.
Standing there, Lyman tracked her diminishing silhouette until it blended into the distance, then lowered his gaze to the jacket draped over his arm, shadows gathering in his eyes before he stepped into his car.