Chapter 545
Chapter 545:
They sat in silence in the living room for a long time. At last, Sawyer pressed his fingers to his forehead and rose from the couch.
“The past few days have been hard on all of us. Get some rest,” he said, then walked toward his bedroom.
Aleena still felt uneasy about Kailey, but before she could think of what to say, Kailey spoke first. “Mom, you should rest too. I’m fine p>
“Alright p>
Aleena was genuinely exhausted after days of running around. Before leaving, she reached out and patted Kailey’s shoulder. “Kailey, life and death follow their own course. Don’t trap yourself in it, okay p>
𝗔𝗱𝘥𝘪𝖼𝘁ive 𝗇o𝘃𝗲l𝘴 𝘰ո 𝗀𝘢lո𝗼𝘷е𝗅ѕ.сo𝗺
Kailey gave a small nod. “I know p>
Aleena went back to her room.
Kailey stayed seated in the living room. She didn’t know how much time passed before she heard the door open. Ryan walked in, worn from travel. The sharp lines of his face stood out even more now, and faint stubble shadowed his chin.
When he noticed her on the couch, his brows drew together. “Why are you still up p>
“I’m not sleepy.” Her eyes stayed on him. “Did you find anything p>
Ryan paused, visibly weighing his words.
After a moment, he tugged at his collar and sat down, his voice dropping lower. “No. He’s just a local who sells breakfast near the subway entrance every morning p>
“Near the subway entrance?” Kailey repeated quietly. “Then why did he pass through that road p>
“He said he overslept, and that way was faster p>
It sounded reasonable on the surface. The more she thought about it, the more it felt wrong.
Kailey pressed her lips together and stayed silent for a moment. “Without proof, there’s nothing we can do p>
“Yes.” His eyes stayed locked on her. “Kailey, are you really not going to tell me what’s going on p>
Her fingers curled tightly against her palm. She gave him a faint smile. “There’s nothing going on p>
His expression darkened, yet he kept his voice steady.
She wasn’t refusing out of spite. After finally clearing the air between them, she didn’t want to drag him into another mess. This had nothing to do with him.
A short, cold laugh escaped him. “Kailey, everything I did raising you all these years meant nothing p>
He turned and walked away without waiting for a response. Only after his footsteps faded did she lift her head. All she could see was his rigid back as he disappeared — distant and unbearably lonely.
She exhaled quietly and lowered her gaze, hiding whatever stirred behind her eyes.
The next morning, she packed her suitcase and prepared to leave.
“Kailey.” Aleena caught her wrist. “Can’t you stay a little longer? Why rush off like this p>
“I have things to handle back home.” She forced a small smile. “I’ll visit again when I can p>
Aleena saw through the surface answer. Some truths couldn’t be forced out — they had to unfold on their own.
She pulled Kailey into a gentle embrace. “If you need anything, call me. Don’t carry everything by yourself p>
Kailey felt her throat tighten. She nodded firmly.