Chapter 2 The More Cruel You Become

Kailey's back went rigid, and after a lingering moment, she slowly turned around.

Ryan had just stepped out of the shower, water still dripping from his hair. Even in dark gray loungewear, he looked as sharp and handsome as ever. With his stern expression set aside, he could have easily passed for any woman's ideal man.

Kailey kept her lips tightly shut and turned her head, deciding not to say anything.

Olivia's gaze flickered between the two, then she gave Ryan a playful glare before looping her arm through his. "Why are you being so aggressive? Kailey just woke up. Who isn't grouchy in the morning? You're not exactly gentle yourself, you know."

Her words sounded like a gentle rebuke, but the teasing lilt in her voice softened the edge.

Kailey's face lost its color, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she didn't really belong.

Ryan's mood hadn't fully lifted, but the tension in the room eased a little. He patted Olivia's shoulder lightly, offering a bit of comfort, and then looked at Kailey with a serious gaze. "Come to the study with me."

Without a word, Kailey followed.

Olivia spoke after them with a worried frown. "You may be her uncle, but you don't have to be so hard on her. Try speaking to Kailey gently for once."

Kailey scoffed quietly to herself. They weren't even married yet, and Olivia was already playing the part of the wife.

Distracted by her thoughts, Kailey didn't realize Ryan had stopped until she bumped right into him, the impact making her nose tingle.

"What's got you so lost in your head?"

Ryan's deep voice rolled over her, and Kailey looked up to find his cold eyes locked on hers.

Almost without thinking, she replied, "Don't you know what's on my mind?"

Whether it was the last flicker of hope or just curiosity about his reaction, the words slipped out.

Ryan's brows knit tighter. He regarded her for a long, silent beat before finally speaking. "Kailey, I've already warned you not to entertain any misguided ideas. You're about to graduate, and I'll make sure you find a suitable boyfriend, but it will never be me. I'm your uncle, and soon Olivia will be my wife. You need to give her the same respect you give me. Do you understand?"

This was the first time Kailey had ever heard him speak so plainly.

Not only did he not share her feelings, but he was determined to arrange her future with someone else.

That lined up with what Kyson had said.

What had she been expecting?

Wasn't she the one who'd tried to put all this behind her already?

Kailey exhaled slowly, realizing it wasn't as hard to let go as she'd imagined.

She nodded. "I understand, Uncle Ryan."

Ryan's eyebrows rose, caught off guard by how quickly she accepted his words.

Usually, she only addressed him so formally when she wanted to be forgiven after stirring up trouble, and she always argued back.

Convinced that Kailey had finally learned her lesson, Ryan's face softened. "You know, Olivia goes out of her way to be kind to you. She even made breakfast this morning. Try not to be so cold toward her, alright?"

Kailey couldn't help thinking that even if Olivia hadn't cooked, Ryan would have. Besides, food was the last thing on her mind. Still, she kept her thoughts to herself and replied, "Alright. I'll get along with her."

The change in her attitude left Ryan unsettled. He watched her for a long moment, as if searching for something more to say, before finally asking, "Why didn't you show up last night?"

Yesterday had been his twenty-eighth birthday. Kailey had gone to the club but hadn't gotten into the private room.

As she mulled it over, Kailey answered quietly, "There was a seminar at school that ran late. I was exhausted, so I just went straight home. Happy birthday, Uncle Ryan."

All she wanted now was to tie up loose ends and quietly move on, so she saw no reason to linger or explain further.

Ryan nodded, hesitated a moment, then reached out and gently patted her head. "If you ever need to talk, you can come to me. Don't keep things bottled up. Go on, eat something."

Kailey hadn't expected to ever find herself here, sitting down for breakfast with the man she loved, eating food made by the woman he loved.

She briefly considered excusing herself, but realized if she was truly ready to let go, she could handle scenes like this.

Besides, she would leave the city soon.

Once breakfast was done, Ryan headed upstairs to change.

Kailey planned to go back to her room to pack her things. She had to meet her mentor at the university later to discuss her internship in Aslesall.

"Kailey."

The voice made Kailey stop in her tracks.

She turned to see Olivia at the kitchen door, rubber gloves on, leaning against the frame with effortless poise, the very image of a woman in charge.

Kailey felt a tightness in her throat but kept her face blank as she asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing urgent, just wanted to have a quick chat." Olivia smiled softly, though her eyes betrayed no warmth. "I heard you've always excelled in your studies, even skipped grades, right? Now that graduation's around the corner, have you chosen where you'll do your internship?"

Her words sounded kind, but Kailey could tell she was digging for information.

With a polite, empty smile, she replied, "I don't think that's any of your business."

Originally, Ryan had arranged for her to intern at a company under Owen Group. The thought had thrilled her; she had imagined working side by side with him. But now, none of it seemed to matter.

Olivia's face tensed for a moment before she forced a smile. "I just wanted to check in on you. After all, Ryan is a man, and there are plenty of things he might not be comfortable discussing with you."

Kailey almost pointed out that she had always confided in Ryan about anything and everything. But then she remembered that Ryan's heart belonged to Olivia, not her. There was no point in arguing.

"I get it," Kailey replied, her tone neutral.

Olivia blinked, surprised by the lack of resistance. After a moment's hesitation, she offered, "You're grown now. Isn't it a little awkward, living with Ryan? Maybe you should come stay with me instead. It would be nice to have your company."

Kailey had heard plenty of stories about messy love lives and watched enough romantic dramas filled with lies and schemes. She used to think they were exaggerated, but now she realized they weren't so far from reality. Olivia wasn't inviting her out of kindness; she just wanted her out of Ryan's life.

That familiar lump rose in Kailey's throat, prickling like a splinter. Unable to contain herself, she stepped closer, locking eyes with Olivia. "Should I be grateful for your kindness?"

Something about Kailey's steady gaze seemed to rattle Olivia. She retreated a step, flustered. "No need for that."

Suddenly, her eyes darted over Kailey's shoulder. She softened her voice. "Kailey, you shouldn't worry that I'll take Ryan away. He'll always care for you. I..."

Olivia hadn't finished her sentence when she tripped over the threshold, falling backward with a thud.

Kailey instinctively moved to help her, but before she could react, someone yanked her aside, hard enough to make her collide with the table's edge.

Ryan glared at her, his expression cold and full of disappointment. "Kailey, the older you get, the more cruel you become!"