Chapter 2 Hold On As Tight As You Want

Tony Murray-Theodore Murray's grandfather-showed no hint of surprise at Kaelyn's compromise, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he asked, "And what condition would that be? Kaelyn, if it's unreasonable, I won't be able to agree."

A faint, chilling curve touched Kaelyn's lips, her gaze steady and unflinching. "It's nothing unreasonable. I just want the wedding date brought forward."

A flicker of surprise crossed Tony's face. "And how soon are you thinking?"

"Two weeks."

Momentarily stunned, Tony didn't hesitate to agree, his tone bright with satisfaction.

Ending the call, Kaelyn pulled up WhatsApp and found it flooded with Andrew's messages brimming with what looked like genuine concern.

A low, scornful laugh slipped from her lips as she tossed the phone aside and shut her eyes, forcing herself to rest.

Sleep was supposed to elude her after everything, yet to her surprise, she drifted off quickly and didn't wake until morning light spilled across the room.

Dragging a hand through her tousled hair, she pushed herself upright and reached for her phone to check the time. The screen read nine o'clock, and two missed calls from Andrew glowed quietly in the notification bar.

She flicked her eyes over the screen, then locked it and made her way to the bathroom to freshen up.

Stepping back into the villa she shared with Andrew, Kaelyn felt a knot of tangled emotions tighten in her chest.

Frustration surged through Kaelyn as the truth sank in-the man who had been living under the same roof as her had been in love with Xenia all this time, and she had been blind to it all.

Drawing in a slow, steady breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Perhaps steeling herself out there had numbed her to it-because when Xenia's all-too-familiar, irritating presence came into view, not even a ripple stirred in Kaelyn's chest.

"Kaelyn, you're back," Xenia said, rising to her feet with a hint of unease flickering across her face as their eyes met.

"I... I didn't have anything going on today, so Dad told me to come by and check on you," she added, her voice soft and slightly hesitant.

A brief glance slid over Xenia before Kaelyn lowered her eyes to the glass of milk on the coffee table-poured to that precise level she knew all too well, unmistakably Andrew's careful habit.

A soft, almost amused laugh slipped from her lips. "So what is it-did you come to check on me, or are you here to get yourself scolded? Dad really dotes on you, doesn't he? Even knowing I can't stand you, he still keeps nudging you over here like routine."

A fragile tremor crept into Xenia's voice. "Kaelyn..."

"Drop the helpless act. It doesn't work on me."

Color drained from Xenia's face, her fingers tightening at her sides as she struggled to speak.

Before she could get a word out, a man's calm, distant voice sounded from behind her. "Xenia only wanted to spend time with you. There's no reason to be this harsh."

Dressed in a muted gray casual set, Andrew stood quietly in place, his tall frame carrying a cool, tightly controlled presence that drew the eye without effort. Even without moving, he seemed almost untouchable-like something meant to be admired from a distance.

A sharp sneer tugged at Kaelyn's lips as she looked him over. "What, stepping in to defend my dear half-sister now?"

Hearing the edge in her tone, Andrew's brows knit together, a faint crease forming between them.

Forcing a gentle smile, Xenia hurried to smooth things over. "I'm alright, Dr. Hudson. Kaelyn's only teasing me," she said softly, her voice light but carrying an unmistakable tremor.

To Kaelyn, the whole act was almost comical.

An urge rose in her chest-sharp and restless-to tear that carefully crafted innocence straight off Xenia's face, but she managed to rein herself in.

A subtle, loaded glance passed from Andrew to Kaelyn before he shifted his attention to Xenia, his tone softening into something almost indulgent. "Xenia, are you not feeling well? I can take you home so you can rest."

A faint scoff slipped from Kaelyn as amusement curled through her chest, the whole performance suddenly entertaining.

"Why rush back?" she asked lightly, one brow arching with deliberate provocation. "Weren't you just saying you came to spend time with me, Xenia? Let's go shopping instead."

For a split second, surprise flickered across Xenia's face before it melted into bright, eager delight, her eyes lighting up. "Really? I've never gone shopping with you before."

Of course, Andrew had no intention of sitting this one out.

Together, the three of them headed straight for the mall.

Stepping out of the car, Xenia moved ahead first, light on her feet, while Andrew trailed after her almost automatically. Midway through his stride, something seemed to click in his mind, and he halted, glancing back over his shoulder.

He inquired, "Kay, where did you stay last night?"

Even with the woman he truly cared about standing right there, he still found a way to ask.

Fixing her gaze on that all-too-familiar face, Kaelyn felt an unfamiliar surge of revulsion curl in her chest. Keeping her expression composed, she answered evenly, "I had a bit too much to drink, so I checked into a hotel with Erika."

A brief nod followed, his expression softening. "I see."

Closing the distance in a few long strides, he moved quickly until he was right beside Xenia again.

Leaning close, he murmured something low into her ear, and the effect was immediate-color flooded her pale cheeks, her eyes lighting up as she gazed at him, drawing an answering smile from his lips.

Watching that tender exchange felt like a blade twisting straight through Kaelyn's chest, sharp and merciless.

Unbidden, fragments of the past surfaced in her mind, each one painfully familiar.

Every time Kaelyn snapped at Xenia, Andrew would step in without hesitation, shielding her with quiet authority.

At the faintest hint of discomfort from Xenia, Andrew would already be at her side, his concern quick and instinctive.

Whenever Xenia mentioned wanting to go somewhere, Andrew would coax Kaelyn with soft persuasion, only to casually bring Xenia along.

What she had once taken for the lofty kindness of a devoted doctor now revealed itself as something far more hollow.

Only then did it dawn on Kaelyn that she had been the punchline all along, a fool playing her part without ever realizing it.

Fortunately, everything was finally drawing to a close.

A faint, self-mocking curve tugged at her lips before she strolled inside, her steps unhurried and composed.

She stayed quiet the entire time, while Xenia chattered on endlessly, as though determined to win Kaelyn over, scrambling for topics to keep the conversation alive.

"Kaelyn," Andrew said at last, his patience thinning as his gaze darkened, his voice turning cool when her distant indifference refused to crack. "If you didn't feel like coming, no one forced you. But since you came with us, the least you could do is treat Xenia with some basic respect."

"Dr. Hudson..." Xenia murmured softly, her brows knitting as unease flickered across her delicate face, clearly afraid the tension might spiral because of her. With a small shake of her head, she forced a gentle smile. "That's just how Kaelyn is. I've gotten used to it by now. It's really fine."

A faint trace of bitterness lingered in her smile, saying more than words ever could.

At the sight, Kaelyn's lips lifted into a thin, mocking curve as her icy gaze drifted downward, settling on Xenia's hand wrapped around Andrew's arm, the gesture strikingly intimate.

"I'm curious," Kaelyn said, her drawl sharp with mockery, "what makes you think you can touch my man like that?"

Only then did Xenia seem to catch that lingering look. She jerked her hand back as if burned, fingers curling nervously. "I-I didn't mean anything by it. Please don't get the wrong idea, Kaelyn, I..."

"Cut the act," Kaelyn snapped, flicking her wrist in a dismissive wave, her sharp eyes gliding over the two of them with pointed meaning. "If you're so fond of clinging to him, then go ahead-hold on as tight as you want. Just don't let go halfway."

Letting out a soft, mocking laugh, she swept past them, her hips swaying with effortless grace.

A deep crease formed between Andrew's brows. Words hovered at the tip of his tongue, yet he swallowed them down, jaw tightening.

After Kaelyn had walked far enough away, he lowered his voice, his tone gentling as he turned to Xenia. "You're not in the best shape, Xenia-don't let her get to you. Just take your time, look around, and pick anything you like. I'll take care of it, all right?"