Chapter 3
Kylie took a moment and then spoke up. “I know Mrs. Noreen Walters has had you help out the Lampard family…”
Trevor’s brow lifted slightly as he thought, ‘Is she trying to say the Lampard family needs more power? With Samuel’s skills, they’re as high as they can climb. But if she’s using this as leverage, it’s okay to play ball.
“T’d like you to cut the Lampard family loose, Mr. Walters, Kylie murmured, her eyes downcast, trying to hide the fierce determination in them.
Trevor was surprised, but he didn’t push for more.
After Kylie signed on the dotted line, Trevor glanced at his watch. “Let’s get in.”
“Sure,” Kylie responded, her voice firm and unwavering.
The city hall was a rare sight–dead quiet. We got our marriage certificate in a flash.
Kylie stood outside, gawking at the certificate like it was a magic trick.
She was still in a daze when Trevor piped up, ‘Let’s connect on V WhatsApp. I’ll send you my address. You can move in soon” He didn’t stick around for her reply, just added her and split.
Kylie had pictured living with Noreen, not shacking up with Trevor. But this could be a good thing–pretending to be a happy couple might ease Noreen’s mind.
She checked her watch: 3:30 PM. Time to head over to the Lampard residence and grab her stuff. If it weren’t for the special gifts from Felicia, she’d never go back there.
On the subway, her phone buzzed. Kylie answered without looking. “Hello”
“Hey, honey.” Craig’s voice came through. “Melanie just told me you had a big scene at the hospital when you donated blood.
“I don’t think that was the best idea, Kylie. It’s gonna hurt your parents, and Melanie needs you. Just leaving like that–it’s pretty messed up.
“Where are you now? I’ll come get you, and we can go make amends with your folks, Tomorrow, we’ll go to the hospital and donate blood, and then maybe we can catch a movie?”
His soothing words flowed, but Kylie’s grip on her phone tightened.
Kylie’s love story with Craig was a classic tale of high school sweethearts that carried on through college. But when Craig proposed on graduation day, swearing his love was eternal, life had other plans.
The betrayal that followed, the year of paralysis before her end, those memories were as fresh as if they happened yesterday, etched in her heart with a pain that was impossible to forget..
“Kylic, you there!” Craig’s voice came through the phone, a tinge of annoyance in his tone. “The call’s getting spotty. Want met to text you?”
“Screw you, Craig. We’re so over!” Kylie shot back, her voice as sharp as a knife. The thought of being with him now made her sick. She ended the call without another word.
Her phone lit up with messages, but she didn’t even bother to check Blocking him wasn’t on her to–do list; she had better. things to do with her life.
Kylie soon stepped into the Lampard residence, her heart not quite in it. The traffic outside meant the Lampard family were probably still stuck, giving her a bit of a breather.
Her stuff was minimal–just enough to fill a suitcase, which was all she needed after her half–year stay.
As she headed downstairs, she spotted an ancient painting, the one she’d spent three months restoring. It was a birthday gift for Julie, but it ended up in the most out–of–the–way spot in the living room.
Julie had given it the cold shoulder, more into the fancy bag Melanie had handed over. Kylie’s effort and feelings, apparently, didn’t make the cut.
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Chapter 3
She reached for the painting, her fingers tracing the canvas before she carefully took it down. With a flick of her wrist, the painting was nestled in her suitcase.
In 40 minutes, Samuel, Julie, and Melanie walked back into the house.
Julie glanced around and then frowned at Jill. “Has Kylie shown up yet!”
Jill, the housekeeper, paused her dusting. “Yes, ma’am. She came back with a suitcase about half an hour ago, but then she left again.”
“With a suitcase?” Julie’s voice hitched up.
Jill nodded. “That’s right, Mrs. Lampard.”
Melanie’s eyes widened in surprise. She’d been looking forward to seeing Kylie return, ready to make amends. But where was the resolution Craig had assured her of?
“Is she running away? Melanie asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Samuel’s face flushed with anger. “If she’s got the guts to walk out, she can stay out. She’s too immature for her own good. I’m cutting off her credit cards right now!”
“I’m gonna take a look in her room. She’s probably just pulling a stunt, trying to make a point by leaving. I’ll bet she’s got her eye on a car or something. She’s being so childish!” Julie’s brow was pinched in frustration.
Then she hurried upstairs to Kylie’s room, a place she rarely visited. When she opened the door, the emptiness and the bare- bones decor gave her a moment’s pause, a strange feeling she couldn’t put her finger on..
Melanie joined her, noticing Julie’s distant look. She knew she had to keep her place in the family–she was the treasured daughter, the one who had everything. Kylie was the outsider, the one who didn’t quite fit in.
“Mom, maybe I should go. If I leave, maybe Kylie will come back,” Melanie suggested, her voice soft.
Julie shook her head, her gaze softening as she looked at Melanie. “She’d be better off if she were more like you. Just leave her be. We don’t need to worry about her.”
Melanie continued, her voice gentle, “Kylie’s had a different upbringing. Her adoptive mom didn’t have much education. It’s not surprising she’s a bit lost. We can guide her, Mom. She’ll learn to be as thoughtful and caring as I am towards you and
Dad
Julie’s frustration was evident. “She’s been to college; she should be more sensible. She’s just narrow–minded and unappreciative!” She let out a sigh. “Let’s go have dinner. Kylie can sort herself out.”
In the heart of the city, the streets were a symphony of honking horns and the rhythmic shuffle of footsteps. Kylie, tucked into the back of a cab, was soaking in the view with a mix of awe and disbelief. It all seemed so surreal, but there she was, very much present.
The cabbie, a seasoned man with a weathered face, cast a glance over his shoulder. Kylie was a looker, early twenties maybe, but there was a depth of sorrow in her eyes that made him think something was amiss. Her phone had been going off like a broken record since she got in
“You getting a lot of calls there,” he said, more a statement than a question.
“Just some spam.” Kylie shrugged it off, her eyes flicking back to her phone. It was Craig, again. The calls and texts were coming in like clockwork.
She could almost visualize his face, red with anger, and that image was tainted with a memory she’d rather not dwell on. Her fingers tightened around her phone, the ringing abruptly silenced.
Then, another call came through. Trevor’s name lit up
lit up the screen, and her breath hitched in her chest.
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