Chapter 13
Grant caught on quickly to what Noreen wanted. With a respectful grin, he said, “Mrs. Kylie Walters, I’m your man.”
“Thank you, Ms. Th–Trevor glanced at Kylie, about to speak, but Noreen’s sharp look made him pause. He corrected himself smoothly, “I’ll be needing your help, Kylie.”
Kylie’s smile flickered for a moment. It wasn’t that she was bothered by her first name, but coming from Trevor with that tone, it felt a bit too familiar.
Meanwhile, Julie got a call from the hospital. They were running low on blood for Melanie’s treatment and needed her to come in tomorrow. Melanie was devastated.
“Mom, you don’t think she’s just going to leave me to fend for myself, do you? She must really hate me if she wants me out of the picture. I’m already sick, and now I’ve got to deal with her attitude. And we’re not even family now,” Melanie said, tears streaming down her face as she hugged Julie.
Julie’s heart ached as she held Melanie. “I’ll handle it. I’ve been giving her the silent treatment for a few days now. She’s had time to reflect. I’ll call her, get her to come to the hospital and donate blood for
you
Melanie looked at Julie with a hint of worry. “But will she come without making demands? I don’t want to cause any more stress for you and Dad.”
“Don’t worry, if she pulls any stunts, she’s out of here for good. I think she might be regretting how things went down after our last talk. She’s probably just waiting for me to make the first move,” Julie sneered.
Julie’s face clouded as she thought about Kylie, her biological daughter. Kylie had always been a disappointment, never quite fitting in.
Melanie felt a smile tug at her lips. The more Julie disliked Kylie, the better julie would feel about Melanie.
With a deep breath, Julie picked up her phone and dialed Kylie’s number.
And Kylie was meticulously massaging Trevor’s head, with Grant observing every move. It was an odd dance, their faces closer than they’d ever been, and the tension was palpable.
Trevor had initially thought Kylie was just trying to win his grandma’s heart, pulling out all the stops to impress.
But as her fingers deftly worked their way across his head, he felt an unexpected wave of relaxation wash over him, a rarity for someone who usually struggled to unwind.
Grant had come with the idea of learning a new trick or two, as Noreen had put it. But the massage was a complex ballet of pressure points.
Despite Kylie’s patient guidance, Grant was hopelessly lost. Each touch had a name, a purpose, but it was all hard. It dawned on. her that Noreen probably hadn’t expected her to become an expert.
The calm was suddenly pierced by the sharp ring of Kylie’s phone. Grant, noticing it on the side table, called out, “Mrs. Walters, it’s your phone.”
Kylie finished the massage and reached for her phone. “Hello, she answered, her tone a blend of curiosity and wariness.
Julie’s voice came through the line, all high–and–mighty. “You’re on the phone now? Figured out you’re in hot water? Let’s sweep the other day under the rug. I can walk you through this crap later. For now, just get your butt back here. We’re heading. to the hospital tomorrow,”
Kylie glanced at Trevor, who was catching some shut–eye on the couch, and slipped out quietly with her phone.
As the door shut behind her, Trevor’s eyes popped open. He stared at the door, a steely look in his eyes. He could make out the muffled scolding from Kylie’s phone–it seemed the Lampard family were really laying into her.
Julie, not hearing anything back, was getting more ticked off by the second. “You lost your voice or what? Talk!”
“Wanna drag me back to be Melanie’s personal blood bank?” Kylie shot back, a bite to her words
Chapter L
Julie’s brow furrowed at the flat tone in Kylie’s voice. “What’s this about a blood bank? Mel’s your sis. It’s just a little blood. Don’t be so dramatic. Just get home, I’ve upgraded you to a room that’s almost as sweet as her
A humorless laugh escaped Kylie.
The sound traveled through the phone, and Julie got the wrong idea, thinking Kylie was pleased.
“After the hospital, you’ll go to the office with your dail. He’s set you up with a clerk gig, Julie continued, her words sharp
“All good, Mrs. Lampard?” Kylie’s voice dripped with sarcasm. Her own mother’s true face was a real eye–opener.
“What did you just call me?” Julie’s temper flared. “I’m your mother!”
“Is that how you roll as a mom? People might think I’m your arch–nemesis, Kylie retorted, her voice icy.
In her past life, she’d been stuck in the dinkiest room of the mansion, with Julie barely making an appearance, and when she did, it was just to look down on her for her disability. Let Melanie have all the love she could handle.
“What are you saying? That’s how you talk to me?” Julie’s voice rose. “You’re spending our money, and your dad’s cut off your credit card. If you don’t want to be out on the street, get back here and apologize!”
Kylie had already pulled the phone away from her car. When Julie’s rant was over, she brought the phone back.
She sneered, “You and Mr. Lampard aren’t that old. You should still have your marbles. Since 1 came to the Lampard family, 1 haven’t spent a dime of yours. Check the credit card statements. Always stirring up trouble, but never took a moment for ink things through? You two really need to use your brains better.”
Kylie ended the call, her jaw set firm.
Julie’s phone clattered against the coffee table, her jaw set firm. She’s got some nerve, saying she never took our money. Like I was born yesterday, she huffed to herself, the disbelief seeping into her tone.
Melanie raised an eyebrow, sensing the perfect storm brewing. “What’s the scoop, Mom? You look like you could fight a fire with that glare,” she said, trying to pry.
In her eyes, Kylie didn’t stand a chance against her. And if Melanie played her cards right, she could be Trevor’s girl in no time, leaving Kylie in the dust.
Julie’s face was red with anger as she lobbed her phone onto the couch. “She’s not coming home, talking back, and claims she hasn’t spent any of our money. What kind of parenting did Amanda do? Raising such a bad girl!”
Melanie’s eyes danced with a secret knowledge. She knew Kylie wasn’t lying. Craig had mentioned Kylie’s work ethic during holidays and weekends, saving up for herself.
But… she wasn’t about to defend Kylie. “Kylie has the card dad gave her. It’s silly to think she can fib without getting caught. Mom, don’t let her get under your skin.”
Julie’s anger only grew at Melanie’s words. “This is outrageous!” she huffed, her voice laced with irritation.
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