29
Kayla stood with her arms crossed, a sharp smirk curling her lips. “Go ahead, Stephanie. Make a scene if you want. I’ve been through prison, lost everything, do you really think I’m scared of you?”
Stephanie’s confidence wavered, her lips trembling. “Kayla, I didn’t mean-
Kayla stepped closer, her tone low but cutting. “No, you meant every word and every action. And you still don’t get it, do you? You’ve learned nothing. You’re still blaming everyone else for your mess.”
That was all it took. Stephanie broke, falling to her knees and grabbing onto Kayla’s legs, her sobs s
frame. “I know I was wrong! I know I was awful! But please, Kayla, help me! Just this once!”
shaking her
The bodyguards moved in, but Kayla stopped them with a quick motion of her hand.
Stephanie’s voice rose in desperation. “I’ll never cause you trouble again, I swear! You can have Dad and Lionell
I’ll disappear for good! Just give me some money, enough to survive and I’ll leave you alone forever!*
Kayla crouched down to meet her face–to–face, her voice calm and steady. “Stephanie, let me save you the effort -I don’t want Dad or Lionel. You can keep them and honestly, good luck with that. How you live your life now has nothing to do with me. And as for money? Not a chance.”
Stephanie sobbed harder, clinging to Kayla like a lifeline
Kayla pulled back slightly, her gaze icy. “You had it all, Stephanie. A big house, a luxurious life, things most people can’t even dream of. But it still wasn’t enough for you, was it? Now you’ve lost everything and somehow that’s my problem? It’s not. So here’s how this goes: you leave now, or I call the police.”
Before Kayla could say another word, the sound of sirens broke through the tense air,
Stephanie froze, her eyes wide with fear. “Kayla… you wouldn’t
Kayla raised a brow and shrugged. “Not me. Lionel.”
The words hit like a slap. Stephanie’s face drained of color as a police car pulled up outside.
A group of officers approached, their footsteps quick and deliberate
“Stephanie Sutton?” one of them asked. “We have evidence provided by Lionel Sutton linking you to forged documents, falsified accounts and framing others. You’ll need to come with us.”
“No! That’s not true! I didn’t do anything!” Stephanie screamed, thrashing as the officers restrained her.
Her protests grew louder, but the police didn’t hesitate, leading her toward the car
Kayla watched silently, her face unreadable. She didn’t feel triumphant or vindicated–just done.
As the car disappeared down the street she exhaled. Maybe it wasn’t the ending she had imagined, but it was an ending all the same
And with it came the promise of a fresh start–her life, her way.
Kayla signed the deal with Faulkner Group, knowing it was her best shot at turning things around
Sutton Group had been nothing but an empty shell when it came back to her, no progress, no direction
If she wanted to revive it, she needed a strong partner and Simon had handed her the Faulkner Group opportunity on a silver platter
After they won the lawsuit, Simon kept finding excuses to see her At first, it was all business–updates, meetings, casual check–ins. But one day, out of the blue, he dropped the bomb.
“I liked you, Kayla‘ he blurted out
Kayla froze, staring at him as if he’d just grown a second head
Simon’s face turned red and he fumbled for words “I mean, back in college I just I wanted you to know”
Before she could even process what he’d said, he added, “Take your time. No rush,” and practically bolted from the room
For the next few days, Kayla couldn’t stop thinking about it. She had buried so much from those days, but Simon’s words stirred something she wasn’t ready to face. Finally, she made up her mind.
She went to his office first, but they told her he wasn’t there. Frustrated, she decided to take a chance and headed to the Faulkner family’s estate.
As soon as she stepped inside, a golden retriever came bounding toward her, wagging its tail like it had been waiting for her all day. It reminded her so much of Skippy that she had to blink back the memories.
While she crouched to pet the dog, a graceful woman appeared in the doorway. “You must be Kayla,” she said, smiling warmly.
Kayla stood up, brushing her hands against her coat. “Yes. I’m here to see Simon.”
The woman, who could only be Simon’s mother, gestured toward the stairs. “He’s upstairs, at the end of the hall. Go ahead.”
Kayla hesitated but nodded, making her way up the grand staircase. Her steps were slow, her heart pounding louder with each one.
When she reached the end of the hallway, she saw a door slightly open, Pushing it gently, she found herself in a cozy study. The scent of old books and polished wood filled the room.
On the desk, a diary and a stack of photos caught her eye. She walked over, her curiosity getting the better of her. As she opened the diary, her breath caught
to she b
Every page was about her. Memories from college, long forgotten, thoughts he had never shared.
The photos were just as telling–her face in every one, some candid, some posed, all carefully preserved She didn’t realize it until it was too late
As she turned the photo over in her hand, a soft shuffle behind her made her spin around.
Simon was standing there, just a few feet away, holding a bouquet of flowers. His eyes met hers and for a moment, neither of them said a word.
Kayla’s vision blurred as tears filled her eyes and without thinking, she ran to him, throwing her arms around him in a hug so tight it felt like she might never let go.
They had both been through so much, carried so many scars, but somehow, they had ended up here. Together. She pulled back just enough to meet his gaze. “I’ve already made my decision,” she said softly. “I want to be with you,”
Simon let out a shaky breath, relief washing over his face as he gently pressed his forehead to hers. “Are you
sure?”
Instead of answering, Kayla kissed him–a kiss full of all the words she couldn’t find, all the feelings she couldn’t quite say out loud.
When they finally pulled apart, her eyes fell to the bouquet in his hands. A small smile tugged at her lips. “What’s with the flowers?”
Simon laughed, a little awkwardly. “I was waiting for you.”
Kayla raised an eyebrow, teasing, “And if I hadn’t come?”
His answer was immediate, steady. “Then I would’ve waited forever.”
Her laugh was soft, full of warmth. “You’re such a sap,” she teased, but the way her hand slipped into his told him she didn’t mind at all.
(The End)
