Chapter 163:

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Kelly’s POV

Snow is recovering and was transferred to a private room yesterday. I’m relieved she’s safe, and more than anything, I’m happy because she’s happy with her father. Pierce hasn’t spoken to me in days, and, as I expected, I understand why. When I was angry at him for hurting me, I didn’t talk to him either. I even pretended to have amnesia, but that didn’t go well, as he knows me too well.

I watched my daughter and her father sitting on the bed. Pierce was feeding Snow, and she seemed to enjoy it so much. Seeing them together made my heart swell, and I couldn’t help but tear up.

“Kelly, let’s eat,” Emily said, poking my arm.

I looked at her and smiled, shaking my head. “I’m not hungry yet.”

She glared at me. “Snow’s recovering now, and she’s back to being her bubbly self. You don’t have to worry about anything.”

I pressed my lips together and didn’t respond, but I felt Pierce’s presence beside me. I sucked in a breath when he put the empty plate on the table beside me and shot me a cold glare, his jaw clenched. His icy stare pierced me, sending a chill through my body.

“My child needs nutrients. If you want to suffer, suffer alone. Don’t involve my children,” he said, his words like a stab to my heart.

It hurt. I knew I was wrong, and even though I understood it wasn’t entirely my fault, I knew I had to face his anger. He had every right to be this upset.

I watched him turn his back and walk back to Snow. I swallowed the lump in my throat and walked toward them.

“Mommy, have you eaten?” Snow asked sweetly.

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I smiled, kissing her hair. “I’ll go with Aunt Emily for a while to eat, okay? Stay with Daddy.”

She smiled back. “Yes, Mommy. Take care! Aunt Emily, take care!”

Emily smiled sweetly at her and waved before grabbing my arm and dragging me out of the room.

“Your ex is so annoying, Kelly!” Emily huffed.

I smiled bitterly. “He’s hurt. Anger is a natural defense mechanism when you’re hurt. You know that well, Emily.”

“Yes, but does he really think you wanted to hide it from him? He’s weak, Kelly. He’s always been weak. He can’t even protect his own family from Klay Carver.”

“Emily—”

“What? It’s the truth! He should’ve fought for you if he loved you. He didn’t. He gave up on you for that crazy bastard. He didn’t fight.”

He tried,” I whispered. “It was me who didn’t want him to fight back then because I was afraid of getting hurt again.”

“And you should’ve continued fighting against your own feelings, if that’s what it would’ve taken to keep him from ending up like this.”

I pressed my lips together, choosing not to respond. We entered the fast food chain closest to the hospital. I picked a table while Emily went to the counter to order. As I waited, my gaze drifted to a family sitting at the table across from us—two kids, parents, a complete family. A happy, whole family. I longed for that, but cruel fate had deprived me of it. I vowed that I would do everything in my power to ensure my children never faced the same pain.

I was consumed by anger over the past few years, but I was finally okay now. The wound Pierce left in my heart had healed, but I had reopened it, and now I had wounded him. I just hoped he would allow me to heal his heart too.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when someone suddenly sat across from me. Dressed in a ball cap and mask, looking like a stranger trying to stay concealed, he wore all black and his eyes… were filled with regret and sadness.

My lips parted in alarm. “You—”

“Kelly…” He whispered my name, bowing his head. I was stunned by the gesture, as if he was silently begging for me to listen, showing no signs of malice.

I gritted my teeth. The anger I harbored for him still burned inside me. Maybe I could never forgive this man for the damage he had done to me.

“I’m sorry…” His voice cracked. I kept my face neutral, not allowing his apology, which seemed sincere, to affect me.

“I’m sorry for everything… for using you, for manipulating you, for hurting your father… and especially for making your life miserable…”

I clenched my fists, staring at his ball cap. He kept bowing, but even if he kissed my feet or buried himself alive, it wouldn’t make a difference.

“I… was wrong… Y-Your father was a good man. I was stupid. I was blinded by anger, but I will own up to my mistakes. I’m sorry, and I hope you won’t forgive me.”

The mention of my father made tears well up in my eyes. The pain still lingered. Now, he realized the truth—that my father had done nothing wrong.

“Too late, Klay. It’s too late. You already let my father die.”

He slowly lifted his face to meet my eyes. “Amanda’s the one who pushed your father out of the window. He was trying to escape… but Amanda caught him and pushed him. I… I’m sorry.”

I sobbed. “I will never forgive you, Klay.”

He nodded, his expression filled with regret. He reached for my cheek, but I pulled away. Pain flickered in his eyes as he nodded again, swallowing hard.

“I… I just need to do one thing, but after that, I’ll report myself and pay for my sins.”

My forehead creased. “You’re willing to pay for your sins? You’re from a family of syndicates. It’s impossible for someone like you to truly reflect on your mistakes.” I couldn’t bring myself to believe his words.

“I don’t believe you.”

“I know…”

I pressed my lips together, glaring at him with hatred in my eyes. He could see it clearly, but I didn’t care.

“How is she?” he asked after a few seconds of silence.

I balled my fists, the memory of how he had threatened me with my daughter still fresh in my mind. The anger surged inside me, making my heart ache.

“I will never let you near her. Never!”

He licked his bottom lip and nodded, then adjusted his ballcap before standing up. He started walking toward the exit, leaving me seething in his wake.

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