Chapter 5 Kaelyn. Apologize. Now.

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.

Lately, 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 cook some of 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."