Never Yours Again: Too Late To Chase Me Back, Mr. CEO!

Kailey Evans had picked out a thoughtful present for Ryan Owen's birthday.

As she reached the private room where he was hanging out with his friends, voices floated out.

"Now that Olivia is back, you two can finally be together, Ryan. But Kailey's got quite the stubborn streak. What if she causes trouble?"

Through the glass, the low lighting made it hard to read Ryan's face, but his tone was unmistakably cool. "She's just a kid. Whatever she says doesn't matter."

"Kailey may be young, but everyone can see she's got feelings for you. You mean to tell me you never once thought about her that way?"

Vernon Clayton's probing question sent Kailey's pulse racing.

She found herself straining to hear every word, desperate to know if Ryan had ever harbored any romantic feelings for her.

Reclined at the center of the couch, Ryan gave off an air of practiced confidence-unflappable, self-assured.

After a measured pause, he answered, his tone cold and unyielding, "Guys, don't encourage that sort of talk. Kailey's young and reckless. To me, she's my niece. I could never see her in a romantic light."

Those words landed with the force of a blade, cutting straight through Kailey's chest.

Oblivious to her presence just outside the door, Vernon kept up his banter. "Alright, alright, we get it-Olivia's the one who really matters to you. Kailey could never take her place."

Ryan gave a slight nod. "Just be careful not to bring up Kailey around Olivia. I don't want there to be any confusion."

"Do we even have to mention her?" Vernon let out a heavy sigh, his tone loaded. "With Kailey's personality, she's never going to sit back and watch you end up with someone else."

"Right," another man added with a laugh, clearly enjoying himself. "She's what, twenty now? Why not just date both Kailey and Olivia? Kailey's got nowhere else to go, and she's been hung up on you forever. She'd probably agree without hesitation."

Ryan's eyes turned sharp as ice, and the look he gave was enough to silence the room. "What kind of filth are you talking about? The only reason I had my brother adopt Kailey was because I pitied her. My heart has only ever belonged to Olivia. Don't say things that make my skin crawl."

Kailey's fingers locked around the doorknob so tightly it hurt. For a moment, she could barely breathe.

So this was what her feelings were to him. Something repulsive.

She had come prepared to step inside, maybe even defend herself, but the strength drained out of her all at once.

Without a word, she lowered her eyes, swallowed back the sting in her throat, and turned away.

Outside, the street was quiet and empty, stretching endlessly ahead of her.

The riverside club's exclusivity meant not a single taxi waited outside.

Gift pressed tightly in her hands, Kailey moved briskly down the empty drive.

Ryan's conversation with his friends ran on repeat in her mind.

After so many years, what exactly had she been clinging to?

A bitter laugh slipped from her lips as she whispered to herself, "Kailey, have you really been that foolish?"

Unseen tears streaked down her cheeks. She didn't bother wiping them away.

At the next intersection, a rush of headlights dazzled her, their brightness stinging her already aching eyes. In that moment, her hand released its grip.

The present-a pair of expensive cufflinks, bought with her own bonus-dropped to the ground with a soft, final thud. They meant nothing to her anymore.

Drawing a deep breath, Kailey pulled out her phone and made a call.

"Kyson, I've decided. I accept your proposal. Let's get married."

Kyson Blake was five years older, a childhood neighbor from the Owen family's circle. After high school, he'd gone abroad, only returning to Aslesall recently.

The last time they met, Kyson spoke openly about the pressures he faced-expectations, arranged marriages, family business. His offer was pragmatic, even warm.

"Kailey, you know how this works. You and I are both destined for marriages that serve our families, not ourselves. If we're going to be pushed into something, why not choose each other-someone who understands? What do you say we just tie the knot?"

Back when Kyson first made the suggestion, Kailey could only laugh it off. But tonight, the idea didn't seem far-fetched at all.

She glanced over her shoulder at the club, its neon lights pulsing in bold, colorful bursts-each flicker echoing the remnants of her feelings for Ryan.

"We've known each other since childhood. It's a lot better than marrying a stranger. If you're still willing and your family's in a hurry, we could make it official soon," she said into the phone.

Kyson was taken aback by how quickly she'd made up her mind. There was a moment's pause, then he answered, "You say the word, and I'll come get you. When are you ready?"

Her gaze dropped to the forgotten gift bag on the sidewalk. "Let me finish up with my internship arrangements first."

If she was going to marry Kyson, there was no reason to stay in Jucridge.

She hung up and walked for what felt like forever before finally flagging down a taxi to take her back to Sundown Estate.

The estate stood right in the heart of the city, a prime spot just five kilometers from the house where she'd been born-before everything fell apart.

At nine years old, Kailey's life was shattered when her family's company collapsed. Overwhelmed by mounting debts and endless harassment from creditors, her parents lost hope and left her all alone. Even their home was destroyed, nothing left but ashes.

The creditors showed no mercy, and for a time, it seemed even little Kailey wasn't safe from their grasp.

Ryan stepped in when no one else would.

He was only seventeen then, but stood his ground in front of his older brother, Sawyer Owen. "I can't be her legal guardian without a wife. You adopt her on paper-I'll take care of everything else."

Ryan kept that promise. He gave Kailey the best of everything, sheltering and spoiling her as the years passed.

But to her, he was never truly an uncle, no matter how often he used the title.

Kailey grew up believing she and Ryan were meant for each other.

On her eighteenth birthday, she told him she liked him.

Ryan shut her down, calling her too young, saying there was too much distance between them, insisting he could only ever treat her as his niece.

Yet, even as he built that wall, he never let another man get close to her.

Kailey mistook his protectiveness for something more, convinced it was jealousy-that he was just waiting for her to be older.

She truly believed that one day, if she just waited long enough, everything would fall into place for them.

As the city slipped by in a blur of lights and shadows, Kailey stared out the window, lost in her own thoughts. Tears pricked her eyes for reasons she couldn't quite name.

She realized that getting older hadn't eased the ache, and letting go of love was its own kind of sorrow.

At that moment, she quietly promised herself she would finally set Ryan free from her heart.

Not long after, Kailey finally made it home. She brushed away the last of her tears, forced every feeling back down, and went upstairs without a word. A hot shower steadied her nerves, and soon after, she slipped into bed and let the darkness take her.

She was sure sleep would refuse to come. Instead, she rested more deeply than she expected. The next morning, she woke to loud clanking sounds echoing through the house, as if someone was rearranging the entire kitchen.

Once she was dressed, Kailey followed the noise downstairs, where it grew even sharper and more persistent.

Still groggy, she yawned and walked toward the kitchen, assuming the housekeeper was already at work. "You're up really early..."

Her voice cut off the moment she saw the person standing there.

A woman moved between the stove and the counter, dressed in white, a cream apron tied neatly around her waist. Her long hair was pinned back in an elegant clip, and everything about her looked carefully put together.

Kailey stopped cold. Ryan's first love. The woman he could never truly forget. Olivia Marsh.

Olivia turned with a bright smile, as if she belonged there. "Kailey, you're awake! I was going to finish breakfast and then come get you. I didn't think you'd be up this soon."

Kailey bit back a scoff. With all that clattering, she'd have to be deaf to sleep through it.

She drew in a long breath, steadying herself, and mustered a weak smile. "What brings you here this early?"

Olivia touched her lips, feigning a bit of modesty. "Ryan had a bit too much to drink last night. I brought him home, helped him clean up, and since you were by yourself, I thought I'd cook breakfast for us."

So... the two had spent the night together.

Any sense of politeness on Kailey's face started to fade, and her voice cooled. "Did I ever ask you to do that?"

A sharp voice came from behind her. "Kailey, is this the attitude you've learned from me? Apologize!"

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!"

Ryan's eyes were cold and unyielding, freezing Kailey in place, unable to utter a single word.

Pain radiated from her bruised side, but all she could do was watch in silence as he gently picked Olivia up and carried her away, leaving her behind.

Hot tears spilled down her cheeks before she realized it, and Kailey could only sniffle, rooted to the spot and unable to move.

Not long after, the distant sound of the front door swinging open broke the silence.

The cleaning lady arrived, humming to herself as she made her way toward the dining room. The cheerful tune stopped short when she saw Kailey. "Kailey, what happened? Why are you crying like this?"

That simple question undid her last bit of composure. Kailey's words came out shaky. "Can you help me? My side hurts so much."

The woman wasted no time. She called the property manager for a car and quickly took Kailey to the nearest hospital.

After a full round of tests, the results brought a small sense of relief-nothing serious had been damaged.

"Try to avoid bumping your waist for a while, and remember to use the ointment regularly." The doctor glanced at Kailey, taking note of her youthful face. "There might be some nasty bruises, but they'll fade before long. Don't be too concerned."

Kailey thanked him quietly and followed the cleaning lady out.

As they stepped outside, the woman turned to her. "Would you like me to call Mr. Owen for you?"

"There's no need for that."

Kailey figured Ryan was probably busy fussing over Olivia, and there was little chance he'd spare a thought for her right now.

A wry smile touched her lips as she gently twisted her waist, finding the pain had eased a bit. Handing the ointment to the cleaning lady, she said softly, "You can head back now. I'm going to school."

The woman hesitated, worry etched on her face. "Are you sure you'll be alright?"

"The doctor said it's nothing serious-no bones were hurt. I'll manage."

It took some convincing, but the cleaning lady finally agreed to leave. Alone in the back seat of the car, a wave of loneliness washed over Kailey.

She'd lived under Ryan's roof since she was a child, always feeling shielded from harm. Yet now, when she truly needed someone, the only comfort came from the cleaning lady.

She sighed inwardly, realizing all relationships eventually drift apart; hers with Ryan just ended a little sooner than most.

Later, after submitting her paperwork, Kailey informed her mentor of her intention to intern in Aslesall.

Her mentor blinked in surprise. "Aslesall? That's such a long way from here. I thought you couldn't bear to leave your uncle and planned to join his company. Wouldn't he be worried if you went so far?"

Kailey hesitated, uncertain how to explain her complicated history with Ryan. After a pause, she replied, "We aren't related by blood, and I can't keep relying on him forever. I'm turning twenty-one soon. It's about time I learned how to stand on my own. He has no reason to object."

Her mentor considered her words and let out a soft sigh. "You know, no one needs to tell me how much your uncle cares for you. It's something everyone on campus can see, teachers and students alike. Even now that you're nearly grown, he still shows up to drive you home, as if he's guarding you from every possible danger. But you're right about wanting to grow on your own-there's a lot to learn beyond these walls. I really believe you're going to do well, no matter where you go. I'm rooting for you."

Kailey gave a grateful nod and lingered for a few minutes to chat before leaving the campus behind.

Her college days hadn't lasted long, but her mentor's words brought back memories.

During her first year, Ryan had even bought a place near campus so he could cook her meals.

That kind of care felt like a lifetime ago.

Now, his world revolved around someone else-someone he truly wanted to cherish and build a future with. Kailey understood that, deep down, her presence was starting to feel like a burden to him.

Maybe stepping away was the best way she could show her gratitude, a quiet parting gift.

She was certain Ryan would be too occupied with Olivia to come home that evening.

But as she stepped inside, she caught sight of him on the couch, focused on his laptop.

The sound of the door made him glance over. "Back from class already?"

Kailey hadn't expected to see him. The cleaning lady must have kept him updated.

"Yeah," she replied, setting her things quietly in the cabinet. After a short pause, she asked, "How's Olivia? Is she alright?"

Hearing Olivia's name made Ryan's brow tighten, irritation flickering across his features.

Kailey could sense he was ready to scold her for hurting Olivia again, so she lowered her head and kept quiet.

To her surprise, Ryan changed course. "I left in such a hurry earlier. The cleaning lady told me you took a pretty hard hit against the table. Was it bad?"

Kailey's hand balled into a fist at her side, then slowly loosened. She stared at the floor and replied quietly, "It's nothing. I'm alright."

Ryan didn't buy it for a second. He remembered the cleaning lady mentioning that Kailey had been in tears-something that hardly ever happened. She'd always been tough, so the pain must have been unbearable.

He closed his laptop, set it aside, and moved toward her. "Let me check your injury..."

When he reached out, Kailey instinctively stepped away.

Ryan's hand hovered in the air, the gesture unfinished. Surprise flickered in his eyes at her retreat.

"Kailey?" His voice was gentler, conflicted. "I know I was only thinking about Olivia at that moment, and I missed what you were going through. I'm sorry, okay?"

A dull ache settled in Kailey's chest. All his worry had been for Olivia-he hadn't seen her at all.

With her head bowed, Kailey kept her face hidden and replied in an even voice, "It was just a bruise. Nothing compared to Olivia's injury. You should stay by her side."

"You're certain you're alright?"

"I'm fine."

Ryan studied her for a long moment before easing up, deciding she meant it. Knowing her temperament, he figured she'd have made a fuss if things were really bad.

He was about to continue the conversation when his phone rang. He picked it up, his voice softening instantly. "Olivia? What happened? Are you hurt?" he asked, grabbing his jacket without missing a beat. "I'll come right away."

He hurried toward the door, then paused and glanced back at Kailey. "If anything comes up, let me know. Take care, and try not to go out unless you need to."

Kailey stood in silence, watching as he hurried out, started his car, and disappeared down the street.

The quiet stretched around her, her waist beginning to throb again.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed from inside her bag. The screen lit up with Kyson's name, and a lump rose in her throat.

She answered, voice tinged with vulnerability. "Kyson, I got hurt."