Chapter 46
Chapter 46:
Only then did it fully register. Olivia had set her up again. The corner of her mouth pulled into a bitter smile that never quite became laughter.
The same game. For the third time.
Sweat clung to her face and slid down her cheeks as she watched Ryan scoop Olivia into his arms. Olivia’s face pressed against his chest, and for a moment the whole scene felt distant and unreal.
Ryan looked up, his eyes hard. “Why are you just standing there? Call an ambulance p>
Kailey pressed her lips together. She wanted to say the fall hadn’t been her fault, but she already knew he wouldn’t take her word for it.
She made the call and tucked her phone away.
“She slipped,” Kailey said quietly. “I didn’t touch her p>
“That’s the same thing you said last time. And the time before that.” Ryan’s reply came with a cold edge, disappointment mixing with something else in his expression that she couldn’t quite read. “If Olivia decides to hold you responsible, I won’t be stepping in this time p>
Sirens cut through the night air as the ambulance arrived. Ryan wrapped his jacket around Olivia, his face tight with concern.
Kailey stood at the edge of the road and watched the ambulance lights fade into the darkness.
The scratch Olivia had left across the back of her hand still throbbed, heat pulsing beneath the skin. Strands of hair clung to her flushed, damp face. A long moment passed before she turned and made her way home.
𝘍іn𝖽 n𝗈𝘃𝗲𝘭 𝖯𝖣𝗙s 𝗈𝗇
Voices drifted from the living room, everyone murmuring about the ambulance that had appeared in the neighborhood.
“Did anyone see what happened? Oh my—Kailey, what happened to you p>
Gasps rippled around her. Aleena hurried over, pressing a cool towel to Kailey’s forehead and searching her face for injuries.
“Sweetheart, how do you end up in such a state from a simple walk? Where is Olivia? Didn’t Ryan go out to find you two p>
Kailey looked down. “They went to the hospital. Olivia and I both fell p>
“If she’s at the hospital, why didn’t you go too? You should be checked out as well p>
Kailey swallowed a bitter smile, knowing Ryan hadn’t spared a thought for her at all.
Her reply came out soft, almost a whisper. “I’m alright. I just need some rest p>
She had hoped to spend a few quiet days with the Owen family, but her return had unraveled everything. Perhaps this really was her cue to leave. Perhaps that was exactly what Ryan and Olivia wanted too.
Alone in her room, Kailey had started packing when Kyson’s call came through.
“What are you doing right now p>
The quiet hum of the city drifted in the background, and all at once her eyes filled with tears. “Just packing my things,” she murmured.
“Packing?” His voice dropped, concern edging in. “Where are you now p>
“Still at home.” She set the phone on speaker, her voice going softer. “I’m leaving first thing tomorrow p>
A pause stretched across the line before Kyson asked gently, “Are you hurt p>
Kailey said nothing. Her vision blurred as tears slipped down her cheeks.