Chapter 8
All in one fluid motion.
When it was done, she realized her hands were still shaking.
“Kay-Kay” was her childhood name.
The last person to call her that was her mother, when she was still alive.
Her mother had loved using that name.
Truth was, Kaylee’s memories of her mother were fading.
She only remembered her as a kind, optimistic person.
From her earliest memories, her father had been a drunk and gambler who often beat her mother.
Later, her mother brought her to the city for work, landing at the Morgans’.
Every night, her mother would come to her room to tuck her in, holding her close, saying:
“Kay-Kay is such a good girl.”
“Kay-Kay must grow up strong and healthy.”
“Kay-Kay, time for sleep…”
After her mother’s death, no one ever called her Kay-Kay again.
And that voice on the phone – though she barely remembered it – she knew it was her father, Kelvin Green.
Her mother had died protecting Susanne, using her body to shield her from a burglar’s knife. She was pronounced dead shortly after reaching the hospital.
The Morgans paid $2 million in compensation.
Kelvin took the money and vanished.
For twenty years, Kaylee had hoped he was dead.
Now he was alive and looking for her.
She knew why – he must have blown through the money.
–
Since that call, Kaylee had been in a daze at work, constantly checking her phone yet dreading it.
Every unknown number terrified her.
Thankfully, Kelvin hadn’t called again for two days.
She began wondering if she’d imagined that call.
The night before Anne’s surgery, Kaylee visited her room to check on her and offer reassurance.
Back in her office, just as she removed her white coat, her phone rang.
Her hand trembled as she looked at the screen.
Seeing “Alex” displayed, she frowned.
With Anne’s surgery tomorrow, it made sense for her grandson to call for updates, even if he was too busy to visit.
After a moment’s hesitation, she answered.
“Kay, you’re off work, right? I’m wearing tan slacks. Come to Mountain View Hotel with a shirt and tie to match. Hurry.”
His tone brooked no argument.
He’d always spoken to her this way, and she’d always complied.
Over time, Alex had taken it for granted.
He assumed Kaylee would never refuse his demands.
Though they were fighting and she’d moved out.
But him reaching out first was a peace offering.
Soon enough, she could move back in, be his girlfriend again, be the lady of the house.
“Mr. Morgan, we’ve broken up. Ask your girlfriend to do this.”
Kaylee’s voice was calm.
“Kay, Lucy doesn’t know how to handle these things. I have an important business dinner. Just bring them over,” Alex softened his tone. “We haven’t seen each other in ages. With Grandma’s surgery tomorrow, let’s have dinner tonight.”
In his mind, he was making a huge concession.
Usually, just this much would make Kaylee give in.
“Mr. Morgan, attending your grandmother’s surgery is your choice. As for dinner, I’ll pass. We’re done, and I doubt your girlfriend wants you dining with another woman.”
Kaylee didn’t even want to call herself his “ex.”
Was she ever really his girlfriend?
In his eyes, she’d been nothing more than a convenient, free housekeeper.
After a moment of silence, Alex’s angry voice came through. “What’s this attitude, Kaylee? Think you don’t have to listen to me anymore?”
“I’m not your family’s servant. What right do you have to order me around?”
Kaylee’s voice remained eerily calm.
“The right of someone who raised you! Your mom died, your dad abandoned you. You think you’re special now with your medical degree and fancy job? Without us, you wouldn’t be starving, but you’d probably be some farmer’s wife in the middle of nowhere, instead of living this cushy life!”
Alex’s tone wasn’t angry.
It was pure condescension.
He knew these words would control her.
Kaylee couldn’t deny it.
She’d said these very words to him once.
She’d said without the Morgans, her fate was uncertain. The police might have contacted her father, who could have sold her off for money.
Or she might have ended up in foster care, adopted by who knows what kind of family.
She’d been grateful the Morgans took her in.
Never imagining these words would become Alex’s weapon.
Kaylee sank into her office chair, nodding weakly. “Yes, Mr. Morgan, you’re right. I owe everything to your family. I’ll bring your clothes right away.”
“Good. I’ll be at the Mountain View Hotel in thirty minutes. Text when you arrive.”
Alex saw nothing wrong with his words.
Just pleased with her compliance.
She couldn’t let him go.
No matter what he did, she’d always give in.
Always come back.
Kaylee changed and backed up her expense records before taking an Uber to Alex’s villa.
She’d lived here four years.
At the door, she instinctively used her fingerprint.
“Access Denied—”
The cold prompt reminded her she’d been erased.
This wasn’t her home anymore.
Before she could knock, the door opened.
Marianne stood there, face lighting up. “Miss Lawson, are… are you moving back?”
“No, Mr. Morgan needs clothes at the Mountain View Hotel. I’m leaving right after.”
Her old slippers were gone. She had to use guest slippers.
Upstairs, the closet was chaos.
Ignoring this, Kaylee efficiently found suitable clothes, said goodbye to Marianne, and left.
For this house, for Alex.
She would feel nothing anymore.
At the Mountain View Hotel, just as she was about to call Alex, she spotted him in the lobby.
Beside him stood a woman in a red cocktail dress.
