Chapter 21

Inside the care facility, Marsha ate in her room. Across from her, the caregiver was keeping her company.

Kayla stood at the doorway, her eyes fixed on her grandmother. Waves of grief washed over her, heavy and unrelenting.

If Jeremy hadn't stepped in tonight, she didn't know what would have happened to her grandmother.

Lately, Marsha drifted in and out, her thoughts wandering off like loose balloons, sometimes disappearing completely.

"Kayla!" A burst of footsteps echoed down the hall, and Liam burst through the doorway, his chest heaving and worry etched deep into his face. "I'm so sorry. Something urgent pulled me away. I never imagined Marsha would leave the park while I was gone."

Without warning, Kayla's palm cracked across his cheek. The sting was immediate and sharp.

As the heat spread across his face, Liam flinched, stunned by the force of her anger.

With her hand still trembling, Kayla glared at him. "Liam, this is it. I can't do this anymore. It's over between us."

Redness bloomed on his cheek as Liam faced her, desperation clinging to his words. "Kayla, please. I knowl let you down, but I promise I won't take my eyes off Marsha again. Just give me one more chance."

Kayla's voice was ice-cold. "Admit it. You left my grandmother alone because you wanted to be with Tricia. If you want her so badly, just end our marriage and get it over with. Nothing's stopping you."

A frantic shake of his head accompanied'Liam's plea. "No, you've got it wrong. There's nothing between me and Tricia. I only care about you. You're my wife."

"Enough!" Kayla stormed across the room, grabbed a stack of papers, and hurled them at him. "Jeremy signed the contract. You made a promise-once I landed this contract, we'd end it." Paralyzed,Liam stood motionless, the reality sinking in like a cold wave.

He stared down at the contract lying on the floor, watching his marriage unravel in front of him.

A hard finality colored Kayla's tone. "Tomorrow at nine, the courthouse. That's when we finish this."

Shock drained the color from Liam's cheeks as his hands tightened into fists.

No part of him had truly believed that Kayla would manage to win Jeremy's approval for the project.

Releasing his grip, Liam stooped to retrieve the contract. A bitter smile crossed his face. "Alright, tomorrow it is."

Something about Liam's reaction made Kayla pause, though she was relieved that he hadn't put up a fight about the divorce.

Without looking back, she walked away, retreating into the room and shutting the door behind her.

Rage took over, and Liam's knuckles whitened around the contract. One harsh swing sent the papers flying.

From the hallway, Tricia stepped in and picked up the scattered contract with careful hands. "Why wreck this? This is our lifeline. The company needs this partnership, whether you like it or not."

A glare colder than steel shot from Liam's eyes.

Tricia offered an innocent shrug. "Why are you looking at me like that? Kayla's made up her mind. You can't stop her from walking away."

"Divorce isn't happening!" Liam shouted, shoving past her, fury pulsing in every stride.

A dark scowl clouded Tricia's face as she hurried after him.

Wasting no time, Kayla returned home, intent on packing her things and moving on.

Near the closet, the maid lingered, watching as Kayla folded her clothes, worry etched across her brow."Ma'am, where are you going?"

"I'm divorcing Liam. I won't be calling this place home anymore," said Kayla, her tone resolute. Uncertainty flickered in the maid's eyes as Kayla shoved her belongings into a suitcase.

Liam rushed back after the maid's call. He found Kayla halfway down the stairs, suitcase in hand. "Kayla,just stop."

Kayla squared her shoulders and met his gaze. "I'm leaving now, Liam. We're finished. Don't come after me again."

Redness rimmed Liam's eyes as he seized her shoulders. "You're ending everything we've built with just a few words? Kayla, is your heart really that cold?"

A flash of revulsion crossed Kayla's face as she shoved his hands aside. "If anyone's heartless, it's you. Get out of my way."

Blocking her path, Liam clamped down on the suitcase. "You're not going anywhere,Kayla."

"Let go of me," she snapped, tugging at the handle.

Liam's voice rose with frustration. "I said, you're staying right here!"

Their tug-of-war sent one of Kayla's belongings-a ring-clattering to the floor.

Faster than Kayla could reách it, Liam scooped up the ring and turned it over in his fingers.

Suspicion darkened Liam's face as his gaze darted from the ring to Kayla."Where did you get Uncle Jeremy's ring? What are you hiding from me?"

"Hand it over!"

Kayla lunged for the ring. Instead of backing down, Liam grabbed the collar of her shirt, holding her in place.

A bitter accusation tumbled from his lips. "Did you really cozy up to Jeremy just to seal this deal? That ring isn't just a trinket-it's a symbol of who he is. You expect me to believe he just handed it to you?"

Fury built inside him, blazing through his chest and flickering in his glare.

Giving up the struggle, Kayla fixed him with a cold stare. "What difference does it make how I secured the contract? You wanted a divorce. You wanted Perennia Group to have a future. Well, Jeremy handed it to you. Don't mess this up. If you do, you'll always be a nobody."

Pushed too far, Liam released her with a shout. "I don't need his help to make Perennia Group succeed!"

"Then why did you ask for his help in the first place? Quit lying to yourself, Liam. It's time you admit the truth."

Snatching the ring from his grasp, Kayla gripped her suitcase and walked away without hesitation.

Furniture rattled and gass shattered behind her as Liam's rage tore through the villa.

Not once did Kayla glance back.

Shaken by the chaos, Tricia appeared in the doorway."Stop tearing the place apart. The ring might not even be Jeremy's. Maybe it's from someone else."

Grinding his teeth, Liam glared at the door where Kayla had vanished. "I'm not letting her leave me, no matter what."