Kyra’s POV
Sleep would not co. Though Nathan and I hadn’t truly started anything real, I had already ended it. His family was being pulled into the ssy chaos of my life. His younger sister was in danger simply because I wanted him selfishly for myself. I couldn’t stand the thought of more people dying because of .
Snow slept beside , her little arm wrapped around my waist in a hug.
I smiled and looked at her peaceful face. This little angel was my strength, my reason. If not for her, I would have lost my will to live long ago.
When morning ca, I went through my routine as normally as possible. It was the weekend, and I planned to hit the gym to clear my head of all these tangled thoughts.
"Ana, I’m going to the gym," I told my nanny as I gathered my things. "When Snow wakes up, make her breakfast and don’t leave the unit for any reason."
"Okay," Ana replied with a smile.
I nodded before leaving the condo and taking the elevator down. Thankfully, the condominium tower had its own gym on the third floor, so I wouldn’t need to go outside where Kieran’s n were surely watching.
The gym was crowded with weekend people. I was running on the treadmill when I caught soone staring at through the big mirror that covered the wall in front of .
I stopped running right away when I recognized him. He slowly walked toward . We hadn’t spoken since that night. He’d said he wanted to court , but after Phoebe’s birthday, he seed to be avoiding . Now, though, he ca over with new determination.
"Caleb..." I said his na.
"Kyra..." He licked his bottom lip nervously. "How are you?"
I looked around the gym as I grabbed the towel from my shoulders and started wiping my sweat.
"I’m fine. How about you?"
His eyes stayed on my face, troubled by sothing he didn’t say. "I... I’m not okay."
His honesty surprised . "Problem at the company?"
He shook his head. "It’s my feelings. I told myself I was going to stop chasing you after that night. But here I am, buying a mbership at this gym just so I might see you."
I stared at him, confused. "What are you talking about?"
He laughed softly, the sound mixed with sadness. "I’m sorry. This isn’t the place to talk about such things. And with all the problems you’re facing, I doubt you have ti for this."
"What night? What about it?" I pressed.
Biting his bottom lip, he looked down. "It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. I just... I was just shocked when I confird my suspicion that you’re with him."
He knew. The night he ant, he must have seen Nathan and at the pool area. That explained why he hadn’t contacted despite his confession.
"I’m sorry..." Those were the only words I could say. I knew all too well the pain of loving soone who didn’t love you back. I knew exactly how much it hurt, how it emptied you out.
He smiled again, this ti for real. "You don’t need to apologize, Kyra. I love you no matter what. I took the risk knowing I might get hurt, but I won’t regret it. I just hope that he doesn’t hurt you, that would be my only regret. That I gave up so easily."
Sylvia whined softly inside , sensing my mixed emotions.
I shook my head and bit my lip. "He’s not going to hurt . I was the one who hurt him."
His lips parted slightly, curious, though he didn’t ask more.
"Everything is just so ssy," I continued. "I don’t even know if I can be true to him or to myself anymore. My parents died unfairly. I want justice for them and safety for my daughter. That’s why I pushed Nathan away, it would be dangerous for him and his family."
He looked into my eyes seriously. "He’s the CEO of the leading magazine company, Kyra. I doubt he’d be threatened by rumors on the internet. If he truly loves you, he won’t back down because of lies."
I smiled bitterly. "It was , Caleb. I am the problem. Not him."
"Why are you punishing yourself?" he asked. "The world is unfair, Kyra. It will never adjust to you—you have to adapt to it, whatever the situation. You can never please everyone, it’s not even necessary. But pleasing yourself, doing whatever makes you happy... that’s what matters most in this world."
He was right. Why was I suppressing my feelings for Nathan just because Kieran wanted to control my life? Nathan’s family was powerful too. They had wealth, connections. And given that Alpha Richard was a shrewd business magnate, he wouldn’t let anyone threaten his family. He might be cold, but he treasured his family deeply. Just like Nathan did.
Caleb’s words made realize exactly what I was giving up—love, happiness, a complete family for my daughter.
I barely rembered the ride back to my condo. All I knew was that I needed to see Nathan today. I needed to tell him everything—how I felt, the truth about Snow’s father. He deserved to know more than anyone else in this world.
My lips curved into a hopeful smile as I entered Nathan’s company building. His assistant recognized imdiately. I noticed nervousness in her eyes.
"Is Nathan inside?" I asked.
"Y-Yes, ma’am, but..." she began, hesitant.
I didn’t let her finish. I couldn’t wait to tell him about our daughter, about my feelings for him. But when I opened the door, my heart dropped, and tears instantly blurred my vision.
Nathan sat in his chair, and on his lap was the woman who had always been my rival for his heart. They were kissing, his hand on Sophia’s waist while she had her arms around his neck, their kiss deep and passionate.
I gasped as hot tears stread down my face. I had hurt him, yes, but had he given up on so quickly?
When Nathan’s gaze moved past her and t mine, his lips parted in shock, and he imdiately shoved her off his lap.
I turned away, wiping my tears as I closed the door. I heard Nathan calling my na, but I couldn’t look back. I ran toward the elevator, unable to face him because I was already falling apart.
"Kyra!" Nathan’s voice called after .
I stepped into the elevator and saw him following , but Sophia kept pulling at his arm, glaring at with triumph in her eyes. The elevator doors slid closed with Nathan’s eyes still fixed on . He managed to break free from Sophia’s grasp and rushed toward the elevator, but the doors had already sealed shut.
I sobbed, covering my mouth with my hand to muffle the sound. This was my fault. I had pushed him away. But why was it Sophia again? It hurt. So much, but I couldn’t do anything.
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