Chapter 10
Craig sauntered out of the police station, his mood as dark as a storm cloud.
The cops had been riding him all day, and no matter how many times he tried to prove his relationship with Kylie, they just weren’t having it. Kylie’s side painted it like a simple loan, and he wasn’t about to hand back the cash in his bank–no way.
He reckoned Kylie was just feeling left out. He’d been spending more and more time with Melanie, and maybe Kylie was throwing a wrench in just to get her share of the spotlight. If she wanted him around, she could’ve just spoken up. But this. mess was only driving him further away.
With frustration, Craig dialed Kylie’s number again.
She was on the subway, her heart still stinging from their last encounter when she saw his name pop up on her phone. After a moment’s pause, she answered.
Craig was caught off guard that she picked up so fast. But this made him confirm what he thought–Kylie was just making a scene and snapping the spotlight.
So he said, “Hey, are you upset because I’ve been all about work? I’m coming to see you right now. We’ve been a team for years, and I’ve always got your back, right? The company’s giving a bonus at the end of the year. 100 thousand and it’s all yours if you
want it.
“My mom’s been like family to you, and you know she’s been under the weather. Don’t leave me. I love you, and everything I
earn is for us.
Kylie’s voice was icy, her words cutting through the line. “Craig, you need to pay me back, or I’ll have to take it up with the lawyers.”
Craig was stunned. “Wait, what’s going on? Since when is this about money? Is our relationship just about the cash?”
Craig’s words upset Kylie. She hung up, leaving Craig with his phone in hand, his expression darkening. “Kylie, what’s gotten into you? Are you trying to push me away? I mean it!”
He let out a sigh, knowing he had to transfer the money for now. If he didn’t, things at work could get even more complicated after the police visit. He’d find a way to get the money back later–He decided to let his mom deal with this.
Once the transfer was done, he sent Kylie a message. [Honey, I’ve sent the money over. Don’t worry about my mom; I’ll figure something out. If you’re feeling down, how about we take a trip this weekend?]
Kylie’s phone buzzed with a notification, and she found the bank app update. After a daze, she tapped to transfer the bulk of it to Amanda’s account, keeping just a sliver for herself.
[Mom, this is from my summer gigs in college and the extras you’ve given me. Figured you could use it more than me, she texted Amanda.
Amanda’s heart skipped a beat when she saw the bank alert and then Kylie’s message. She was dialing Kylie’s number in a flash, her voice carrying a hint of panic.
“Sweetie, you just got your diploma and you’re still between jobs. You should keep that money for yourself. I’m all set, and your brothers sent me more than enough. I can’t take this from you. Let me return it. Go have some fun, and buy something you love. I don’t need it, really, Amanda insisted
Kylie could hear the genuine concern in Amanda’s voice. She offered a reassuring smile on the phone. “Mom, I’m good. You guys can use it more right now. I’m about to head underground, but we’ll talk when I come over in a few days.”
The call ended, and Amanda was left with a mix of pride and concern–her daughter was trying to be helpful, but something was definitely up. She figured this must be about the Lampard family.
She had to get to the bottom of this. Amanda had never thought she’d reach out to Julie, but this was about Kylie. As a mother, she could sense when something wasn’t right.
With a deep breath, Amanda pulled up Julie’s number and made the call.
Julie had saved Amanda’s number, but only because of Kylie. She’d meant to delete it later but had forgotten. Having Amanda in her contacts was like a blemish on her phone. Just thinking about it made her skin crawl.
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Chapter 10
Julie answered with a curt, “What do you want, Amanda?”
Amanda sensed the disdain in Julie’s tone, her brow knitting in response. “I’m just calling to check on Kylie.”
“Kylie?” Julie’s voice dripped with superiority. “She’s been quite the handful, Disrespectful and ungrateful. The painting she gave me for my birthday–tattered and claiming it was ancient. Please, it’s clear she was poorly raised. Does she think we’re clueless?”
Julie scoffed, “We don’t expect her to be as perfect as Melanie, but she’s making a fool of us. She’s even threatened to run away. If she’s with you, tell her she’s not welcome back unless she apologizes properly.”
Amanda’s eyes welled up with tears, her whole body shaking. She was known for her kindness and for keeping her words soft, but hearing Julie belinle Kylie, comparing her to Melanie and making her out to be worthless, she reached her breaking point. Kylie is a good girl,” Amanda said, her voice shaking with emotion. “If she’s leaving, it’s because you’ve pushed her to it. You’re the ones who should be apologizing”
Hanging up, Amanda couldn’t hold back her tears. The way Julie had spoken about Kylie, as if she was worthless, broke her
heart.
Kylie made her way through the rows of curios at Jardora’s Vintage Market, a hotspot for anything old–school.
Toting a bulky bag, she was carrying a piece of history–a painting she’d scooped up from the Lampard residence. It had been in rough shape, but after some serious TLC, the artwork was as good as new.
She’d bought it from an old–timer here for 30 thousand. The painting was a mess when she got it, but she saw potential in the chaos. It took some serious elbow grease, but she managed to put the fragments back together.
The old vendor had mentioned it was a family treasure, possibly from the Renaissance era. But with no name to the artist and a face only a mother could love, it was hard to place a value on it. The most he’d ever gotten for it was a couple of hundred bucks.
Kylie, though, had a knack for this sort of thing. She could tell the painting was the work of a master, someone who had a way
with nature scenes.
If she were to sell it at an auction, it could fetch around 300 thousand dollars. But in this market, she might get half of that.
But money wasn’t on her mind at that time. Kylie was on a mission to find the perfect birthday present for Julie, something. unique and unforgettable.
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