Chapter 533
Chapter 533:
Water ran for a long while as Kailey scrubbed at her skin until angry redness bloomed across it.
Staring at the woman in the mirror — pale, bloodless, hollow-eyed — she realized she had lost weight. She barely recognized herself anymore. Just a shadow of who she used to be.
When is this life ever going to end? She had no answer.
She knew that even if she managed to leave Mountain View Residence, countless challenges awaited her outside. Resolve gathered with a slow breath, and she stepped out of the bathroom.
Sleep came too easily these days. It dragged her under before she could fight it.
In that hazy space between sleep and wakefulness, she felt someone standing by her bed — watching her with such intensity it seemed they could set her skin ablaze. Weight crushed her eyelids whenever she tried to look, and they refused to lift.
𝗪𝗲 𝘶𝗽𝘥𝘢𝗍𝘦 𝘦vеr𝘆 𝘸𝘦𝗲k on
Terror snapped her awake before dawn. Cold sweat clung to her body.
She pushed herself upright and turned her eyes toward the window. The curtains in Mountain View Residence were never drawn, and the slow rise of the sun painted the horizon with quiet beauty.
Air slipped from her lungs in a soft breath. She threw back the covers and left the bed.
Morning light followed her downstairs, where the housekeeper was already at work in the kitchen. A gentle romance novel murmured from the woman’s phone, the flat mechanical voice carrying a strange charm. Surprise crossed the housekeeper’s face when she spotted Kailey, and she hurried to mute the sound. “Ms. Evans, you’re up early today p>
“I am. Do you need help with anything?” Kailey smiled.
“No, no. Tell me what you’d like to eat. I can prepare anything p>
Warmth stirred inside Kailey at the sight of that honest expression, and memory pulled her back to Karol and those days filled with eager kitchen experiments. Kailey, what do you want? I can make it for you. It had already been a month without seeing her.
Heat gathered behind her eyes. Kailey forced it down with a small shake of her head. “I’ll eat whatever you prepare. Thank you p>
Flattered, the housekeeper noticed Kailey’s mood seemed off — she was likely missing her family. But matters between Kailey and Lyman were none of a servant’s concern. She sighed quietly and decided to make something special that morning.
When Kailey finally sat down, she stared at the crowded table in confusion. “Is someone visiting today p>
“No. You haven’t been eating much, so I wanted to make more. Please enjoy it p>
The moment she left, Lyman appeared and strode toward the table. His eyes skimmed the dishes. “Are we expecting company p>
“Eat if you like,” Kailey said, indifference cooling her voice. “Walk away if you don’t p>
Sharpness had always lived in her tone, and Lyman accepted it without reaction. Composure guided him as he pulled out a chair and sat.
“I’m going to Jucridge tomorrow, and you’re coming with me p>
“Why would I—” Kailey trailed off. “Jucridge?” Was he implying she could return to the Owen family?