Chapter 5

Kaya walked out of the oppressive atmosphere of the dining room. She turned down the long hallway leading toward the east wing sitting room.

"Kaya. Wait."

Kaya stopped and turned. Eleanor was hobbling toward her, leaning heavily on her cane.

The old woman reached into the pocket of her cardigan and pulled out two small, beautifully wrapped boxes. She pressed them into Kaya's hands.

"These are the newest ovulation supplements," Eleanor whispered, her eyes darting around to make sure no one was listening. "Take them daily."

Kaya looked at the boxes. She forced a polite smile. "Thank you, Grandmother."

Eleanor leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial murmur. "And don't worry about Jasmine being a nuisance much longer. I've arranged a meeting for her next week with the heir of the Sterling Bank in Manhattan. Once they hit it off, we'll marry her out. She won't be underfoot anymore."

Kaya's eyes flickered. Marry her out. Grady would burn this house to the ground before he let another man touch Jasmine.

"That sounds wonderful," Kaya said smoothly.

Eleanor patted her arm and turned around, calling for a maid to help her upstairs.

Kaya gripped the boxes and continued down the hallway. She turned the corner near the library.

A figure stepped out from the shadows, blocking her path.

Jasmine stood there, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her eyes were dark and venomous, completely devoid of the innocent act she played in front of Grady.

"Who gave you that mark?" Jasmine hissed, her voice trembling with rage. "Tell me the truth, Kaya. Who is it?"

Kaya stopped. She looked at the girl standing in front of her like a rabid dog guarding a stolen bone.

Kaya let out a soft, mocking laugh. She tilted her head, her eyes lazy and cold. "Didn't your brother tell you?"

The words hit Jasmine like a physical blow. Her face contorted in pure fury.

Jasmine raised her right hand and swung it hard toward Kaya's face.

Before the slap could land, Kaya took a sharp step back, her eyes cold as ice. Jasmine's hand hit empty air, the momentum throwing her completely off balance. She stumbled forward, her heels skidding awkwardly against the polished wood.

"Don't touch me," Kaya said, her voice low and dangerous, carrying a quiet authority she had never shown before. "Stop playing these pathetic games. You are boring me."

"Let her go!"

A furious roar echoed down the hallway.

Kaya looked up. Grady was marching toward them, his face dark with rage, his fists clenched at his sides.

Kaya didn't move toward Jasmine. She simply stood her ground and deliberately wiped her fingertips on the side of her skirt, as if the very air around the girl was filthy.

The moment Grady appeared, Jasmine threw herself backward. She crashed onto the hardwood floor, clutching her wrist and bursting into loud, hysterical sobs.

"Grady!" Jasmine wailed. "She attacked me! She's crazy!"

Grady rushed forward and dropped to his knees. He pulled Jasmine behind his back, shielding her with his body. He glared up at Kaya, his eyes blazing with disgust.

"Have you lost your mind?" Grady snarled. "You act like a madwoman!"

Kaya looked down at him. She saw the man she had loved for two years kneeling on the floor, defending the woman he was sleeping with, calling his wife crazy.

She didn't feel the urge to explain. She didn't care what he thought anymore.

"If you think I'm crazy," Kaya said, her voice eerily calm, "then why don't you let me leave?"

Grady's jaw locked. The coldness in her eyes stung his pride. She wasn't fighting for him. She was looking at him like he was garbage.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed a number.

"Gus," Grady barked into the phone. "Bring the car to the front door. Now."

He hung up and pointed a finger at Kaya. "You are going back to the Tribeca penthouse tonight. Alone. You need to sit in that empty apartment and think about how you treat my family."

He thought it was a punishment. He thought isolating her would break her.

"I'm staying here to take care of Jasmine," Grady added, his voice cruel.

"Perfect," Kaya said.

She didn't argue. She didn't look back. She simply turned on her heel and walked toward the front doors.

Grady watched her walk away. His chest felt tight. He expected her to beg to stay. Her immediate compliance felt like a slap to the face.

Kaya pushed open the heavy oak front doors. The cool night air hit her face.

Gus McCoy, the private driver, was already standing by the black Maybach, holding the rear door open.

Kaya slid into the plush leather seat. The door closed with a solid thud, shutting out the Maddox estate completely.

"Tribeca, Gus," Kaya said. She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes.