Chapter 505
Chapter 505:
Her attention soon drifted toward the easel beside Kailey. The canvas showed the garden in careful detail, yet a locked cage rose behind the roses, its skull-shaped seal stirring a faint unease in anyone who looked too long.
“That painting is stunning,” Jessica exclaimed. “I’m organizing an exhibition this year. Sell it to me. I want it displayed right at the center where everyone can see it p>
Kailey recalled that Jessica ran a gallery known for showcasing independent artists — but she felt no desire to put a price on the piece. “I’ll give it to you. No payment needed p>
In her present circumstances, earning money from it carried no meaning.
“That is absolutely not acceptable,” Jessica insisted. “Friendship stays separate from business. I’ll either pay the full market price or refuse to take it p>
Kailey didn’t push back. She let the stream of words pass and chose silence. She couldn’t leave the villa anyway, and money carried no weight in her current state.
Afterward, they wandered through the garden for a while before turning back toward the villa. Jessica kept a careful distance from Max and slipped slightly behind Kailey as they walked. “What do you usually fill your days with?” she asked curiously. “Do you play cards or something? We could sit down for a game sometime p>
A small shake of Kailey’s head answered the question.
“Then how do you spend your time? Do you really stay inside every single day p>
𝖣o𝘸𝗻𝘭оа𝘥𝘢𝘣𝗅𝘦 𝘗𝗗𝘍s 𝗼𝘯
“Pretty much p>
“No wonder you look so pale,” Jessica murmured. “You should get more sun p>
Kailey wanted to explain that this existence was never her decision, yet the thought faded when she realized choice had rarely belonged to her.
With another person in the villa, even the air felt livelier. For the first time in days, a faint hint of emotion crossed Kailey’s face.
Later that night, she overheard the bodyguards giving their report to Lyman and discovered that Jessica’s visit had been arranged by him.
“So all of this effort was meant for me?” Sarcasm colored her voice.
With a brief motion of his hand, Lyman dismissed the guards and turned back to her. “Have you reached a decision p>
Several days had passed since he last raised the question. Kailey kept her cold stare locked on his face. Consideration had never entered her mind — she had rejected the idea from the start. The thought of divorcing Kyson to marry Lyman felt utterly absurd.
Lyman wasn’t surprised. “Kyson came back. Do you want to meet him p>
A crack appeared in Kailey’s composure, and her eyes lifted in sudden alarm. “Where is he p>
The question held little purpose — there seemed to be only one place Kyson would go after returning. He would be home, searching everywhere for her, trying to bring her back.
“He’s staying at Candice’s home,” Lyman replied.
Cold shock traveled through her at the sound of those words.
She shook her head. “That can’t be true. I refuse to believe it p>
“And what reason would I have to deceive you?” His voice carried the same chill as his stare. “He is already with Candice p>