Chapter 26
Trevor sauntered over in his sharp suit and dropped onto the colich with an effortless grace, crossing his legs. His eyes, sharp and probing, flicked toward Kylie.
Kylie picked up on his odd vibe. ‘Is he acting this way because of what went down at the Opulence Hotel today?” she
wondered.
Then she took a seat facing Trevor, her mind racing. My run–in with Craig at the Opulence Hotel shouldn’t have anything to do with Trevor, should it? Or is he worried someone might find out about our deal? No, that doesn’t add up. We had an agreement, and I haven’t spoken to him today, so why’s he so uplight? she pondered.
As she tried to piece it together, her eyes caught sight of a document on the coffee table. The w “Secret Marriage Agreement” jumped out at her, catching her off guard. Isn’t this the one we signed when we got our marriage license?” she thought.
Seeing the confusion on Kylie’s face, Trevor broke the silence. “You remember the terms of the agreement, right?”
Feeling a bit puzzled. Kylie still gave a nod. She recalled quickly scanning the agreement when they’d put their signatures on it–no outrageous stipulations, just the mandatory secrecy and a clear time frame for their marriage. “Mr. Walters, let’s get down to brass tacks,” Kylie said, her voice firm.
Trevor sat there, a cigarette dangling from his fingers. The smoke swirled around his face like a veil, hiding his true feelings. Kylie’s confident posture seemed to puzzle him, and a mocking laugh escaped his lips.
Come on, Kylie. Spill it. What did you and Craig cook up? What are you trying to pull here? Before we finalize this divorce at the courthouse, I’ll make sure you’re taken care of, for Grandma’s sake. But after that, I don’t want you to show up in her life again,” Trevor said in a serious tone.
Kylie’s forehead creased, realization dawning on her. “Craig and broke up a long time ago,” she said, her voice even. Tm not after anything from you. Noreen has always been there for me, and I married you to express my thanks to her. That’s it You have my word.”
Trevor’s eyes narrowed, clearly not buying Kylie’s story. “Broke up?” he echoed, skepticism lacing his voice. He unlocked his phone, swiped to a photo, and slid it across the table to her.
The phone’s screen showed a couple wrapped up in each other’s arms, right outside the entrance of a hotel. The guy had the girl in a tight grip, like a CEO staking his claim on a new acquisition
However, glancing at the photo, Kylie felt her stomach lurch and a wave of nausea hit her. The memory of Craig’s embrace made her skin crawl.
She pressed her lips together, fighting back the revulsion, and with a voice that was more clipped than she intended, she said, “Yeah, we’ve broken up.”
Trevor’s eyebrows shot up, his gaze turning icy as he clearly didn’t buy it. “If so, how do you explain that tight embrace?”
“If you look closely, you’ll see he was forcing himself on me, Mr. Walters. If the photographer had waited a few more seconds, they would’ve seen me push him away,” Kylie explained.
“I remember the terms of the agreement like it’s branded on my brain. I won’t get involved with any other guy for three years: If you want to use this photo to smear my name, then I’m okay with ending the agreement,” Kylie declared, finally bying her cards on the table.
After speaking, Kylie felt a wave of relief, but she also realized Trevor’s suspicion made sense. Seeing his expression harden, she pulled out her phone and found the photo she’d taken at the car dealership that day.
“Besides, I’m over Craig. He and Melanie have been sneaking around for a while now. That’s more than enough reason for
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me to end things with Irims,” she said firmly.
Trevor barely glanced at the photo before looking away, but it clearly didn’t sway his decision. He figured Kylie’s messy love triangle with Craig and Melanie would just get more tangled, and to keep this from reaching Noreen, he thought it was to call it quits. “This photo doesn’t prove a thing,” he said.
Seeing his firm stance and not wanting to argue further, Kylie nodded and said, “If you’re dead set on ending the agreement, I’m fine with it. Her straightforwardness seemed to shift Trevor view of her a bit.
“Tomorrow morning at 9:30, let’s meet at the courthouse. What do you want. In terms of compensation? Trevor asked.
He wasn’t the type to be stingy, and despite any ulterior motives Kylie might have had with him, it was clear that she’d brought a ray of sunshine into Noreen’s life. Trevor could see it in the way Kylie’s eyes lit up when she was around his grandmother–her affection for Noreen was genuine.
I don’t need any compensation. Kylie refused him flatly. The letter from Felicia had been a wake–up calling her to embrace her independence, and Kylie was confident in her ability to stand on her own two feet financially.
“But if Noreen ever needs to see me, or if there’s anything I can do to help, I hope you won’t stand in the way. To me, Noreen is just as precious and respected as Felicia, Kylie said, her voice filled with sincerity.
Trevor was acquainted with Felicia, having met her a few times. She was a mysterious woman and a friend of his
grandmother, Noreen. But in Trevor’s mind, the fact that Felicia and Kylie traveled in the same circles didn’t mean Kylie was without her own motives.
“Almost forgot. Before we got married, you promised to stop all aid to the Lampard family. I trust you’ll keep that promise,” Kylie added. With that, Kylie seemed to have said all she needed to.
Trevor gazed at her, lost in thought. Kylie’s words were so open and honest that they made him seem like the one with something to hide, as if he were the one trying to provoke a fight just to break their agreement. With a slight crease in his brow, he agreed. “It’s achievable.
They seemed to have reached an understanding. All that was left was to appear at the courthouse the next day.
Kylie pushed up from her seat, her bag in hand, and made her way to the stairs. “I’ll get my stuff together and be out of Starlit Villa by tomorrow,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of finality. “When Noreen asks, just tell her we gave it a shot, but we’re not really suited for each other. I have a feeling she’ll get it.
Trevor’s brow arched skeptically as he took in Kylie’s words. ‘She’s got her story all figured out, he thought, a mix of surprise and wariness settling in.
Without waiting for a response, Kylie went upstairs, clearly aware of Trevor’s suspicion and vigilance.
“There’s no hurry to pack. You can do it after we return from the courthouse. Zach can drive you then, Trevor advised.
Kylie shook her head and said, “I don’t have much stuff. It won’t be a problem to pack up.”
With a slightly cold expression, Trevor fell silent. Ten minutes later, he was at Kylie’s door, looking at the neatly packed suitcase. The room had returned to its pre–Kylie state, as if she hadn’t even bothered to seule in Starlit Villa,
A strange sensation swept through Trevor, like he’d been wrong about Kylie the whole time. But the moment wasn’t his to ponder, because as his eyes met Kylie’s, which were already fixed on him, he said urgently, “Grandma’s had a heart problem and she’s been rushed to the hospital. We’ve got to get moving
Kylie’s eyes widened with alarm, her heart skipping a beat. “But Noreen’s been on the mend, hasn’t she?” she asked, her voice ringed with worry.
“The hospital said they got her just in time, but we won’t know the details until we get there, Trevor replied, his voice grave.
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Chapter 26
Dropping the clothes she was folding, Kylie urged, “Let’s go now
“Sure, Trevor replied, already heading for the door.
Traffic was on their side, and in less than thirty minutes, they were at the hospital. Then they hurried straight to Noreen’s
Grant, upon seeing them, gave them an update on Noreen. “Mrs. Walters has just regained consciousness. She said if your show up, you two should grab a bite to eat first. She’ll talk to you when she’s fully awake”
