A faint, defeated shake of Xenia's head accompanied her soft refusal. "It's not necessary, Dr. Hudson. I can pay for my own things."

Watching their little performance, Kaelyn couldn't summon even a trace of patience. For three years at Andrew's side, she had never once touched a cent of his money. Now that his true identity as the Hudson family's heir had come to light, she saw no reason not to indulge herself a little.

Sharp-eyed as ever, Andrew picked up on her mood without a word.

While Kaelyn moved ahead, casually selecting one item after another, he trailed a step behind, settling every bill smoothly before she ever needed to ask.

Stepping into an upscale boutique, Xenia paused at the entrance, teeth pressing lightly into her lower lip as hesitation flickered across her face. "Kaelyn… Dr. Hudson's already spent quite a bit. Maybe we should check somewhere else?"

Kaelyn smirked. "What, feeling bad about spending his money?"

Xenia pressed her lips together and said nothing.

A quick glance slid from Xenia to Andrew before Kaelyn tipped her chin up, her voice edged with playful mockery. "Come on, money's hardly an issue for him. Right, Andrew?"

Without shifting his expression, Andrew gave a faint nod, his attention still fixed on Xenia. "Xenia, if anything catches your eye, just have them wrap it up."

Xenia blinked up at him. "Are you serious, Dr. Hudson?"

"I mean it."

Irritation curled in Kaelyn's chest, and she let out a quiet scoff before turning on her heel, drifting toward a display of handbags.

Xenia lifted her clear, innocent gaze to Andrew, as if being treated this way by Kaelyn was nothing new.

A faint crease formed between Andrew's brows as a flicker of concern crossed his eyes.

While Kaelyn busied herself chatting with the sales associate, Xenia lowered her gaze, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear before speaking in a soft, almost timid voice. "Dr. Hudson, the last time I fainted, you were the one who took me to the hospital. I never really got to thank you."

Gentleness slipped into Andrew's tone as he answered, "What mattered was that you were okay. I just happened to be nearby—nothing more than a coincidence."

At those words, Kaelyn stilled, a quiet, incredulous laugh nearly escaping her lips.

Coincidence?

No matter where Xenia appeared, Andrew somehow ended up right beside her, ready to step in the second anything went wrong.

How many times could chance really line up that perfectly?

As Xenia chatted softly with Andrew, her eyes drifted toward the glass display, catching on a sleek handbag that made her breath hitch. "Oh wow… this one's gorgeous… and that one too."

Offering a polite, apologetic smile, the sales associate stepped forward. "I'm sorry, Miss, but both of those designs are currently unavailable. Would you like to take a look at some alternatives?"

"Oh, they're unavailable?" Xenia echoed quietly, the light in her eyes fading as she pressed her lips together and fell silent.

From a short distance away, Kaelyn glanced over, instantly recognizing the designs—limited editions reserved for a select few, pieces that couldn't be secured with money alone without the right connections. Memory stirred sharply. The last time she had stood beside Andrew, she had wanted those very bags. Back then, his response had been casual, almost dismissive.

Since they weren't available, he had told her to choose something else—after all, a bag was just a bag.

Noticing the shift in Xenia's mood, Andrew's expression grew thoughtful, his brows knitting slightly as he pulled out his phone and tapped out two quick messages.

Barely ten minutes later, the sales associate picked up a call.

Once the call hung up, she stepped toward Xenia with newfound deference, her smile warmer and more attentive than before. "Miss Reynolds, those two handbags you admired can be sourced from another boutique. Please follow me to the VIP lounge, and I'll go over the details with you personally."

Caught off guard, Xenia blinked in surprise, her fingers curling slightly at her sides as she tried to process it. "Wait… how did they suddenly become available?"

"Our location doesn't have any remaining stock, but our regional manager called just now. He insisted that since you like them, they should be secured for you—no purchase required."

A trace of envy slipped into the sales associate's tone as she added, "He mentioned the instruction came directly from Mr. Hudson, the heir of the Hudson family. Miss Reynolds… I have to admit, I'm a little jealous."

Color crept across Xenia's cheeks, soft and unmistakable, her gaze dropping for a second before lifting again in confusion. "I don't even know Mr. Hudson. Why would he do something like this…"

"That means he's clearly got a thing for you." With a sugary smile, the sales associate piled on the flattery. "And honestly, Miss Reynolds, someone as stunning as you should be treated like this."

Warmth flickered openly in Andrew's eyes as he looked at Xenia, his tone soft as he added, "She's not wrong—you should be treated like this."

"You're all just saying that to make me feel good… If we're talking about looks, I'm nowhere near Kaelyn." Turning toward Kaelyn, Xenia lifted her head again, that gentle smile lingering as she spoke with practiced modesty. "Kaelyn, Mr. Hudson got me two bags—why don't we take one each?"

Leaning casually to the side, Kaelyn had been watching Andrew's every reaction with quiet amusement. Only when Xenia called her name did she shift her gaze over.

In her eyes, the two of them were perfectly matched—both masters of their own carefully crafted performances.

A sharp, humorless laugh slipped from Kaelyn's lips as she said, "If they were given to you, then keep them. Or better yet, take them with you when you're buried."

Blunt as ever, her words landed like knives, instantly wiping the color from both Xenia's and Andrew's faces. Sensing the tension spike, the sales associate hurried in with a practiced smile, deftly steering the moment away before it could turn uncomfortable.

Not long after, a handful of well-dressed socialites drifted into the boutique, their eyes lighting up with envy when they noticed Xenia securing those rare, limited-edition bags.

Once they learned the bags had been gifted by Mr. Hudson, their curiosity turned eager, and they began asking to add Xenia on WhatsApp.

Unused to being the center of such admiration, Xenia kept her posture demure, offering soft, modest replies, though the quiet glow of pride lingered unmistakably in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Andrew kept his eyes fixed on her, a faint smile lingering at the corners of his lips.

Kaelyn reminded herself over and over that none of this mattered—that everything she had shared with Andrew over those three long years had been nothing more than a meaningless illusion.

Still, a tight, simmering frustration coiled in her chest, threatening to spill over at any second.

Drawing in a steady breath, she turned on her heel and walked off without another glance.

Moving too quickly aggravated the injury, and a sharp ache flared through her left leg with each step.

Forcing herself to slow down, she pressed her lips together as her thoughts churned restlessly.

Back then, she had hired a personal doctor because of this lingering pain—regular treatments and careful hands had always brought her some relief.

Now, though, even putting one foot in front of the other felt like a struggle, while Andrew—both her boyfriend and that very personal doctor—was preoccupied with picking out bags for another woman.

Not once did he look up or notice that she had quietly walked away.

Was there anything more bitterly ironic than that?

A bitter curve tugged at Kaelyn's lips as the ache surged through her leg, sharp enough to steal her breath. Off balance, she staggered forward and nearly crashed into someone, catching herself just in time as she murmured, "I'm so sorry…"

"Are you blind or just careless? Watch where you're going. My mother's old—if she gets hurt, are you going to pay her medical bills?"

"You look polished enough, but that doesn't excuse your manners. Don't you know how to walk properly?"

"Everyone, take a look—this rich girl thinks she can push people around just because she has money!"

A knot of agitated family hemmed Kaelyn in, their sharp voices crashing over one another until a dull ache throbbed behind her temples, leaving her no space to speak.

Several steps away, Andrew strolled at an unhurried pace, shopping bags looped over his arm as he chatted easily with Xenia, oblivious to the chaos unfolding nearby.

Frustration finally snapped inside Kaelyn. Squeezing her eyes shut, she raised her voice and called out, "Andrew!"

Startled, the two glanced over, their attention at last drawn to the chaos.

Even so, he showed no urgency, taking his time to settle Xenia's purchases neatly into the car before making his way over, brows knitting slightly as he asked what had happened.

Sensing his composed, refined presence, the family—bold only when picking on someone weaker—quickly lost their nerve and shuffled off, grumbling under their breath.

Andrew inquired softly, "Kay, are you okay?"

Pressing her back against the cool metal of the car, Kaelyn felt the dull ache in her calf spike into something sharper.

Her eyes flicked to Andrew, then slid past him to where Xenia hovered behind, wearing that carefully arranged look of concern. A faint, cutting smile tugged at Kaelyn's lips. "Guess I disappointed you both. Still breathing, unfortunately."

Noticing where her attention had gone, Andrew's expression tightened, the crease between his brows deepening. "I'm sorry. Xenia's heart condition means she can't go fast. I had to walk at her pace, so it took us a bit longer."

"Don't worry about it. You don't owe me an apology," Kaelyn answered, her eyes cool and distant.

After a brief pause, she tilted her head, her tone sharpening with a deliberate edge. "She's got a heart condition, and you're a doctor. Honestly, even if you went as far as finding her a brand-new heart, I wouldn't be surprised."

Andrew's gaze sharpened, his eyes narrowing just a fraction as he searched Kaelyn's face, studying her with a quiet, probing intensity. "Why would you say something like that?"

"Did I say something off?" Not a hint of what she truly knew slipped through her expression. With a casual shrug and a trace of dry amusement, she added, "Aren't doctors supposed to care for their patients like that?"

Perhaps that was true for others.

In Andrew's case, every ounce of gentleness and concern had long been set aside for Xenia alone.

Deceit didn't seem to trouble him in the slightest—if anything, he would gladly carve out Kaelyn's heart valve just to keep Xenia alive.

That thought simmered inside Kaelyn's chest, slowly igniting into something darker, sharper—no longer irritation, but a cold, burning hatred. Drawing in a steady breath, she said, "I'm starving. Let's go."

"Kaelyn..." Xenia had just begun to speak when the roar of a motorcycle suddenly tore toward them.

Kaelyn's pupils tightened in a sudden flash of fear, her gaze darting instinctively toward Andrew at her side, yet he didn't spare her a single glance, his arms moving on reflex as he yanked Xenia into his embrace, turning his body to shield her completely.

With her injured leg dragging and no time to react, Kaelyn stood closest to the oncoming motorcycle—and took the full impact as it slammed into her, sending her crashing hard onto the ground.

Right before darkness swallowed her whole, her fading gaze caught Andrew hovering over Xenia, carefully checking her over—never once sparing Kaelyn a glance.

When Kaelyn finally came to, she found herself back in her room at Reynolds Manor.

The ornate ceiling patterns swam into focus above her, dizzying and distant.

A faint movement of her fingers sent a jolt of pain up her arm, the tight bandage around her hand pulsing with sharp, relentless throbs.

Her injured leg had already been agony, and now even her hand felt like it had been shattered beyond repair.

Soft, stifled sobs drifted through the quiet room just then. Turning her head with effort, she found Xenia nearby, teary and fragile—while Andrew remained at her side, attentive as ever.

"Dr. Hudson… this is all on me. If you hadn't been shielding me, you wouldn't have missed Kaelyn… and she never would've been struck by that motorcycle."

Reaching out, Andrew rested a steady, reassuring hand on her shoulder. "How could this possibly be your fault? Kay simply wasn't paying attention—she didn't even notice the motorcycle coming up behind her. You walked away without a scratch. That's what matters, so stop blaming yourself, alright?"

Lifting her tear-stained face, lashes fluttering with fragile hesitation, Xenia searched his eyes. "Dr. Hudson… you really don't blame me at all?"

A faint, gentle smile curved his lips. "Of course not. Now dry those tears."

Completely wrapped up in their shared concern, neither of them realized Kaelyn was already awake behind them.

Patience snapped at last, and Kaelyn let out a sharp, brittle laugh. "If you two are going to act like that, take it somewhere else. I'd really appreciate a little quiet."

Her voice cut through the room, making the two flinch. Startled, Xenia instinctively shrank against Andrew's chest, fingers clutching his sleeve before she seemed to catch herself and hurriedly stepped back.

"Kaelyn… you're awake," she murmured, cheeks blooming with embarrassed color as her hands twisted together. "I—I was just talking with Dr. Hudson because I was worried about you. Please don't get the wrong idea."

"Honestly, if you hadn't rushed to explain, I might not have thought anything of it." Disgust flickered in her eyes as Kaelyn turned her face away, her voice flattening. "Now do me a favor—get out. I don't want to keep looking at you."

Xenia pressed her teeth into her lower lip, unshed tears welling up again until her eyes turned glassy and rimmed with red, her whole posture shrinking into something fragile and pitiful. "Get some rest… I'll leave you be."

Covering her mouth as if to hold back a sob, she turned and hurried out, her steps uneven as she fled the room.

A crease formed between Andrew's brows, and he rose halfway from his seat on instinct. Yet Kaelyn's steady, unblinking gaze pinned him in place, and after a tense pause, he sank back without taking a single step.

"Kay." A restrained edge slipped into his tone as he added, "You shouldn't be directing your anger at Xenia."

Cold amusement flickered across Kaelyn's eyes as she tilted her head slightly. "Oh? Then who exactly am I supposed to aim it at—should I be taking it out on you instead? Tell me something, Andrew, let me remind you—you're my personal doctor. Your job is to look after me. Did that slip your mind?"

In truth, with Xenia by his side, he had looked almost carefree, as if every other role he carried had quietly slipped his mind.

Silence stretched between them before Andrew finally exhaled, a flicker of unease crossing his face as if he'd just realized he'd crossed a line. Lowering his voice, he said, "Xenia just happened to be closest. I reacted without thinking. Kay… are you seriously this upset over something so minor?"

Nothing about his response surprised Kaelyn. Of course he would fall back on the same worn excuses, prioritizing Xenia while brushing her aside.

Refusing to listen to another hollow explanation, she shut her eyes, her voice turning sharp and icy. "I need to rest. You can go."

A hesitant note crept into his tone as he called out, "Kay…"

"Get out."

Silence settled for a brief beat before the faint sound of retreating footsteps echoed down the hall, growing softer with each step.

Only after he was gone did Kaelyn release the breath she'd been holding, her chest loosening as a quiet sense of relief crept in.

Rarely had she ever snapped at Andrew like that, but today's outburst felt necessary—something sharp enough to force him to actually think about what he'd done.

Over the next few days, while she recovered, Andrew seemed to return to his role, staying home and tending to Kaelyn with deliberate care.

Despite his efforts, Kaelyn remained distant, her expression cool and unreadable; nothing he said or did stirred even the slightest ripple from her.

"Kay…" A flicker of resignation surfaced in Andrew's eyes, softening his expression. "What do I have to do for you to forgive me? Just say the word, alright?"

In truth, had Kaelyn not already seen through him, those gentle, carefully chosen words might have shaken her resolve.

Yet once her heart turned, it turned completely—just as quickly as she had fallen for him, she had learned to feel nothing at all.

Now, when her gaze settled on Andrew, it carried the distant chill of someone watching a fool put on a show.

A bitter clarity settled in her chest, making her feel as though the two of them were nothing more than a pathetic spectacle.

Fixing her gaze on that all-too-familiar face, Kaelyn kept her voice level as she said, "I've been stuck eating bland food these past few days, and it's driving me crazy. I've been craving a proper steak from that place on the south side of town. Go get it for me, and I'll let this go."

That place was known all over Esterford for its steaks, and even with a booking, they'd only keep your order for an hour.

Considering their current place sat more than an hour's drive away, the timing had to be nearly perfect to make it work.

At her request, a faint shadow crossed Andrew's face, his expression tightening for just a second. Still, after that brief hesitation, he said nothing to object.

"Alright, just wait here for me."

After slipping into his coat, he headed out, and Kaelyn promptly summoned the family's cook, telling her to push dinner back by an hour.

There was a brief pause before the cook replied uncertainly, "But Dr. Hudson said earlier… we wouldn't need to prepare dinner tonight."

She said softly, "Go ahead and make it like I asked. Thank you."

Deep down, she already knew better. Something told her that steak was never going to make it onto her plate tonight.

As expected, time dragged on, the minutes stretching into two full hours—yet Andrew still hadn't come back.

When a maid came upstairs to help Kaelyn downstairs for dinner, she muttered softly, "Your father is away on business, but your sister usually comes home to eat. Why hasn't she come back tonight?"

A faint, knowing smile touched Kaelyn's lips.

Because Andrew had taken Xenia out for steak, obviously.

That place was hard to get into, and he would never pass up a chance to indulge the woman he truly cared about.

Kaelyn hardly ever stayed at Reynolds Manor, and even though the maid knew the two sisters were on bad terms, she had no idea just how bitter things had become. More than once that evening, she asked whether Kaelyn wanted her to call Xenia.

Each time, Kaelyn simply told her not to bother. There was nothing to worry about.

After all, Andrew was already by Xenia's side.

By eight o'clock, the sound of tires rolling into the driveway finally drifted in from outside.

Xenia and Andrew walked in shoulder to shoulder, but the easy laughter on their faces disappeared the second they spotted Kaelyn sitting on the sofa.

Xenia murmured quietly, "Kaelyn…"

Without saying a word, Kaelyn looked at the two of them with a faint, icy smile curling at her lips.

Caught off guard, Xenia stood there helplessly for a second before finally setting the takeout bag on the table. "This is the steak Dr. Hudson brought back for you. We stopped by a restaurant nearby and had it reheated. You should eat it while it's still warm."

Not once did Kaelyn spare the bag a glance. Instead, she looked at Xenia with sharp, deliberate interest. "Then why was the steak he bought for me in your hands?"

Her eyes moved slowly between the two of them, the mockery in them almost impossible to hide. "And you reheated it together at a nearby restaurant? The two of you?"

"I…" Xenia twisted her fingers together, flustered and unable to come up with an answer.

A trace of concern crossed Andrew's face as he looked at Xenia, but when he turned back to Kaelyn, his features had already gone cool and distant. "Kay, Xenia's heart had been acting up, so I took her to get checked out first. I didn't have the chance to tell you. I can apologize for that, but you don't need to be this harsh."

Keeping her gaze steady and unblinking, Kaelyn looked Andrew over from head to toe, studying the man she once trusted. He had rushed to shield Xenia without a second thought when it mattered most—and somehow turned everything around so she was painted as the unreasonable one, cold and harsh.

Her fingers curled tightly at her side before a soft, almost mocking laugh slipped past her lips.

She hissed back, "You know I've never liked her. And I'm the one who got hurt, so why should I play nice?"

A deeper crease formed between Andrew's brows, the tension in his expression sharpening as his irritation became impossible to hide.

A flicker of dry amusement crossed Kaelyn's eyes as she reached for the crutch resting beside her.

"If my words bother her that much, there's an easy solution." Leaning her weight against the crutch, she pushed herself upright, her soft waves spilling over her shoulders as they framed her composed, almost indifferent face—an effortless, dangerous kind of charm lingering in her posture. "Move out, Xenia. Dad's always been generous with you anyway. I'm sure he won't mind footing the bill."

Phillip had never hesitated to lavish money on Xenia, and ever since he brought her back into the family, he'd indulged her every whim without question.

Even Andrew had fallen right into line, orbiting around her as if drawn by the same pull.

Just as Andrew opened his mouth to respond, Xenia smoothly stepped forward, slipping herself between them with practiced ease, playing peacemaker.

"Kaelyn… this is really on me. If it weren't for me, Dr. Hudson wouldn't have been held up and delayed getting your steak. I'm sorry. Please don't be upset."

Her voice carried a careful gentleness, as though she'd rehearsed every word to sound considerate.

Yet the more considerate she appeared, the sharper Kaelyn's irritation burned, that delicate act only stoking the heat simmering beneath her calm.

"So you want me to forgive you? Here's your chance," Kaelyn said with a cold, mocking curl of her lips. "Since the cook's off tomorrow, why don't you make the meal yourself?"

"Kaelyn." Andrew's voice dropped, sharp with warning. "Don't push this too far."

"I really don't mind, Dr. Hudson," Xenia replied with a gentle smile, though the faint resentment in her eyes was impossible to miss. "I used to cook for myself all the time. It's okay—I'll make something for Kaelyn."

With Xenia putting it that way, Andrew had nothing more to say.

He shot Kaelyn a long, unreadable look before turning back to Xenia, his expression softening at once. "Get some rest tonight. I'll go with you to pick up groceries tomorrow morning, and I'll help you. I'm actually not half bad in the kitchen."

Around the crutch's handle, Kaelyn's fingers slowly tightened, a dull ache spreading through her chest.

Andrew actually knew how to cook?

That was surprising.

The next day, Kaelyn was heading downstairs when the sound of activity in the kitchen drew her in. She turned—and froze at what she saw.

Never once had she imagined that a man of his standing would step into a crowded, noisy market, then return home to tie on an apron and move about the kitchen with such practiced ease—like a devoted husband who had done it a hundred times before.

During their three years together, Andrew had always taken care of her with careful attention, yet his obsession with cleanliness meant he never once set foot in the kitchen himself.

So it wasn't that he lacked the ability. The truth was far simpler—and far colder. He just hadn't wanted to cook for her.

From a distance, Kaelyn stood watching the warm glow of the kitchen, her gaze lingering as conflicting emotions quietly tangled in her chest.

"Kaelyn… you're finally up." Noticing her, Xenia leaned lazily against the doorframe, a bright, almost sugary smile spreading across her face. "Go wash your hands and come down for lunch. Dr. Hudson made a whole spread—it smells incredible."

At the stove, Andrew moved with easy familiarity, sleeves rolled, the faint curl of steam rising around him. When he turned slightly, Kaelyn caught the soft curve of a smile lingering in his eyes.

Without looking away from the pan, he said, "Can you hand me the sea salt, Xenia?"

"Oh—right away!"

Springing into motion, Xenia opened the cabinet and reached up for it, her movements light and eager.

After a brief pause, Andrew's gaze flicked toward Kaelyn, the warmth fading almost instantly. His tone cooled as he said, "Did you wash up yet? If you have, come sit down and eat."

No reply came from Kaelyn. Leaning on her crutch, she moved forward in slow, measured steps, descending the stairs one careful step at a time.

Lately, her body clock had been a mess, and she hadn't dragged herself out of bed until noon.

In her mind, she could picture the whole cozy scene—those two heading out for breakfast, picking up groceries together, then coming home side by side to cook.

From the outside, they looked exactly like a happy couple.

Lowering her gaze, Kaelyn forced every bitter, tangled feeling back down.

By then, Andrew had already finished the last dish, while Xenia carried it to the table and showered him with bright, breathless praise.

Moving around busily, she set each plate in place, then looked at Kaelyn with eager eyes. "Kaelyn, can you stop being upset with us now?"

Before Kaelyn had the chance to say a word, Andrew's voice came from behind her. "It's been a whole night. I'm sure Kaelyn's not still upset. Come on, let's eat."

With that, he walked right past Kaelyn and sat down across from Xenia.

A flicker of caution crossed Xenia's face as her eyes moved between him and Kaelyn, her voice dropping to a tentative murmur. "Looks like… Kaelyn's still upset."

A faint, strained smile curved Kaelyn's lips as she replied coldly, "If you already know that, then try harder."

After that brief exchange, she fell silent, lifting her fork with steady, deliberate movements.

The food wasn't exactly appetizing—the tastes were all over the place, some sharp, some bland, and the uneven cuts betrayed a novice hand in the kitchen.

Without a word, Kaelyn continued eating, her expression composed, as soft conversation drifted between the other two.

Lowering her tone on purpose, Xenia spoke as though walking on thin ice, careful not to provoke. "Dr. Hudson, you're incredible. I only mentioned a couple of things I like, and you actually learned to cook them. Kaelyn's so lucky to have someone like you. I'm honestly happy for her… makes me wonder when I'll find my Mr. Right."

Warmth filled Andrew's eyes as he looked at her, his affection unmistakable.

Softening his tone, he murmured, "He'll show up soon enough."

A sharp clatter cut through the room. Kaelyn slammed her fork down against the plate, the sound crisp and jarring as she rose to her feet, a brittle laugh slipping past her lips. "Xenia, spare me the fake congratulations. Didn't he just go through all that trouble to prepare your favorite dishes? You look plenty satisfied already."

Turning slightly, she faced Andrew at her side, her eyes flickering with something raw and restrained. "And you..."

A sudden sting burned at the bridge of her nose, threatening to betray her, but she swallowed it down, forcing her expression back into cool indifference.

"Back when I asked you to cook, you acted like it was impossible—like I'd asked for the world. So what changed? Did you sneak off and take cooking lessons behind my back?"

"Kaelyn…" Xenia's voice wavered as tears spilled freely down her cheeks. "Please don't blame Dr. Hudson. This is all on me. I just said I missed home-cooked meals…"

A sharp laugh slipped from Kaelyn, cold and cutting. "Of course it's your fault. If not for you, how would this whole ridiculous, nauseating mess even exist?"

The truth struck her like a wave she couldn't escape—Andrew had only drawn close to her because of Xenia.

Each time that realization surfaced, a bitter sickness twisted in her stomach.

Squeezing her eyes shut, she swallowed the rising disgust, no longer willing to waste another word.

With a sudden scrape, she shoved her chair back and turned away, intent on heading upstairs.

Before she could reach the staircase, hurried footsteps closed in behind her. Xenia rushed up and caught her arm, fingers tightening as her voice broke. "Kaelyn… is it really… no matter what I do, you'll never accept me? Everything I try just ends up wrong, doesn't it?"

Without the slightest pause, Kaelyn turned her head and fixed Xenia with a cold, unwavering stare. "Yeah. Whatever you try, it just gets under my skin. Your whole existence feels like a mistake. You irritate me every single time you show up."

That glacial look cut straight through Xenia, leaving her visibly shaken.

A faint tremor caught in Xenia's breathing, her lashes lowering to hide the flicker of something dark and unreadable in her eyes.

A soft scoff slipped from Kaelyn's lips as she tilted her chin. "You're still holding on?" she mocked lightly.

"Kaelyn!" Clutching Kaelyn's wrist with both hands, Xenia shook her head frantically, her voice trembling. "My mom and I had nothing to do with what happened to your mother. We're sisters—why can't we just get along?"

Kaelyn's hands curled into fists.

Had Xenia lost her mind? Of all things, she dared to bring up her mother?

Pressure hammered behind Kaelyn's temples, a violent pulse building until it felt like something inside her might snap.

Her arm snapped upward before swinging hard, sending Xenia stumbling sideways until she crashed into Andrew, who had just come up behind them.

A dangerous glint cut through Andrew's eyes as they narrowed. "Kaelyn. Apologize. Now."