Chapter 45
Chapter 45:
There was nothing soft left in her voice. Every word carried a sharp edge that marked a clear distance from the person she used to be.
Olivia scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Oh, please, Kailey. Do you think you’re any better? Aren’t you putting on an act just like the rest of us p>
Kailey stood quietly, absorbing every accusation Olivia hurled her way.
“You put on such a perfect act in front of everyone. You’re terrified the Owens might cast you aside, aren’t you? Both Shirley and Aleena dote on you. Don’t think I can’t see your game. I know what you’re really after p>
T𝘩𝘦 𝗺o𝗌𝘵 р𝗼𝗉𝗎𝗅𝗮𝗿 no𝘃el𝘴 𝗈𝗻
Each accusation seemed to strengthen Olivia’s conviction. Her resolve to keep Kailey out of the Owen family had only hardened. A cold glimmer sparked in her eyes. “The moment you turned eighteen, you should have packed up and left instead of hanging around without any shame p>
Kailey held her gaze without flinching. “Whatever happens between me and the Owen family is our business. I don’t see how it concerns you p>
“You’re always hovering around Ryan, aren’t you? So you tell me whether that concerns me or not.” Olivia’s temper flared, her eyes bright with barely contained fury.
Kailey had never imagined someone could spiral this far over a man. The incident with the emerald amulet had made her resent Olivia. Now she simply pitied her. Olivia spent her days tangled in schemes and grudges, completely losing sight of herself.
She waited for Olivia’s breathing to slow before speaking. “The only thing between us is that you deliberately broke my amulet. There’s nothing beyond that, and I’d rather not waste my time or emotions on it p>
She continued evenly, “You’ve seen it for yourself. Ryan doesn’t feel about me the way you imagine. You don’t have to keep coming after me. Let’s just try to be civil, and I’ll be out of the Owen family’s lives before long p>
Olivia didn’t believe a word of it. “Don’t try to fool me! Leave right now if you mean it p>
Kailey looked at her with quiet disbelief, realizing everything she had said had fallen on deaf ears.
She turned to leave, but Olivia lunged forward, seizing a fistful of her hair. “You’re not going anywhere! Do you hear me? Go on, tell everyone you’re leaving right now p>
Pain prickled across her scalp. Kailey thought Olivia must have finally lost her mind entirely.
“Let go of me, Olivia p>
“Swear you’ll do it!” Olivia screamed, tightening her grip.
Annoyance cut through Kailey’s composure. Did Olivia truly think she could be handled like a helpless child?
Without another word, Kailey gathered herself and wrenched free. The force of it caught Olivia off guard, and the struggle shifted in an instant. Then a pair of hands shoved Kailey backward—and before either of them could recover, Olivia lost her balance and tumbled down the nearby slope.
Panic jolted through Kailey. “Olivia p>
She didn’t get the chance to move. Someone shot past her so fast she barely registered the blur. He ran straight toward Olivia.
Kailey stood frozen on the path, trying to catch her breath.