Chapter 7

Keith’s jaw tightened, his lips twitching.

Kelly gave a faint smile. “It’s late. We should head back. You’ve got a big day ahead, don’t you?”

Keith caught Kelly’s hand, his tone softening abruptly, his voice tight in a way that felt off. “Apologize to Maya, and we’ll let this go.”

Kelly lowered her gaze and smiled faintly.

Beside them, Maya spoke hesitantly, “No, it’s fine… I’m not worth an apology from her.”

Kelly looked up at Keith. “She said it’s not necessary. I’ll respect her decision.”

Keith kept quiet.

Kelly gave his arm a light pat. “Go get the car. Evan’s about to fall asleep.”

Keith had no choice but to turn and leave.

The moment he was gone, Maya leaned in close to Kelly’s ear, her voice low.

“Kelly, don’t you think you’ve been a little on edge lately? Maybe it’s just hormones. You should let Keith take care of you.”

Kelly reached up to brush Evan’s ear, smoothly slipping off his hearing aid.

Evan was drowsy, barely lifting his head to glance at her before nodding off again.

A faint smile touched Kelly’s lips, her gaze calm.

She gave Maya a slow once-over, her voice soft. “You, on the other hand, got sallow skin, dark circles, that dull, worn-out look. It’s all written across your face.

“That kind of look doesn’t do you any favors. Walk out like that, and people might start getting the wrong idea that you’re the kind anyone can buy.”

Color rushed to Maya’s face, then drained away, leaving her pale and ashen.

Her breathing quickened.

Reason slipped away, almost instinctively, she raised her hand to slap Kelly.

Kelly’s eyes sharpened.

She caught Maya’s wrist mid-swing with precision, leaning in slightly. “If that slap lands, I guarantee you’ll be spending tomorrow in a holding cell for assault.

“The day after tomorrow is your dear brother’s company listing. A date his family paid a fortune to choose. You really want to ruin that?”

Maya bit down hard on her lip, swallowing the surge of anger, forced to settle for a venomous glare.

For now, she didn’t dare do anything else.

Kelly raised her free hand high, the motion cutting through the air, and brought it down across Maya’s face.

The slap landed hard.

Maya’s cheek burned. “Kelly, you…”

Kelly’s lips curved, but there was no warmth in her eyes.

“Want payback? Go ahead, slap me. Then when I show up at your dear brother’s listing event, people might think he’s the one putting his hands on women.”

Maya’s hand, half-raised, curled into a trembling fist midair.

Just then, Keith’s car pulled smoothly to the curb.

He stepped out, his gaze moving between them. “What are you talking about?”

Kelly didn’t even look at him.

She lifted the drowsy Evan into her arms and walked straight to the car.

Opening the door, she carefully shielded his head and settled into the back seat.

Keith turned to Maya, who was still fuming. “What happened?”

Maya sniffed, fingers twisting the hem of her clothes.

Her eyes reddened as she looked at him, pitiful. “She hit me. And she insulted me. She said I look sick and ugly… said I look like the kind of woman men use and throw away.”

Keith rubbed his temples, weary. “Kelly wouldn’t say something like that.”

Kelly had always been composed, well-mannered.

Even if she blamed Maya for what happened to Barney, she had never lashed out.

At most, Kelly ignored Maya, kept her distance, and said nothing.

So, to Keith, those words didn’t sound like something Kelly would say.

Hearing that, the fragile composure Maya had been holding together shattered.

She pointed at her cheek, her voice trembling. “Look at the mark on my face! Are you saying I’m lying?

“Keith, I’ve been with you since I was eighteen. You were my first. All these years, I haven’t even had a male friend. Why would I make something like that up about myself?”

Keith felt a headache building.

But Maya wasn’t wrong about one thing—she had been with him since she was young.

Even when Keith neglected her, she kept her life quiet and contained, always waiting for him to come back.

Keith believed in repaying loyalty.

A soft, indulgent smile touched his lips.

He bent slightly, lifting a hand to rest on Maya’s head, ruffling her hair with easy familiarity. “Alright, alright, don’t cry. This one’s on me.”

Maya sniffled harder, her voice soft and coaxing. “You’re awful… you just take advantage of the fact that I like you, that I’ll always forgive you.”

Keith took her hand and led her toward the car.

“Tomorrow, I’ll set you up with a lifetime membership at ClearSkin Spa and that private yoga program you’ve been wanting. We’ll switch all the instructors to female.”

Maya rubbed her nose. “You’re unbelievable—you can do whatever you want, but I can’t, right?”

She slipped into the front passenger seat.

Keith got behind the wheel, and the car sped off toward the house.

Maya glanced at the rearview mirror, just in time to see Kelly remove her hearing aid.

She turned slightly, studying Keith’s face.

Lights from the street washed over him in shifting colors, sharpening his already striking features.

Maya clicked her tongue softly. “Kelly’s so good to Evan. Anyone would think he was her own. I guess Mr. Cole must’ve treated her well back then… for her to care this much, even by association.”

Keith’s grip tightened on the steering wheel.

His voice dropped, sharp. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Kelly let out a silent, bitter laugh.

Convenient how he had no problem with it when it suited him but suddenly looked down on it after.

Back when Keith took the one million, he didn’t seem so disgusted.

Maya really was naive.

Even if Keith no longer loved Kelly, she was still his wife.

What man could calmly accept his wife having a past marriage?

Who would willingly put a label like that on himself?

And yet, Keith really did indulge Maya.

He’d only scolded her once, and even that sounded more like a mild reproach than anything else.

Kelly closed her eyes.

She had no interest in looking at something so filthy.

Maya stuck out her tongue, then asked sweetly, “Will Kelly be going with you to the listing event?”

Keith gave a quiet “Mm.”

Of course, Kelly would be there.

Their story—childhood sweethearts, unwavering devotion through ups and downs—had earned him plenty of positive press.

Kelly’s hearing loss had also become a convenient angle, something he used to secure favorable policy support and build his public image through charity work over the past two years.

In countless interviews, Keith’s favorite line was: “A man who loves his wife thrives. Your wife is the greatest asset in your life—treat her well, and you’ll only benefit.”

Maya pouted playfully. “I want to go too! I can take pictures of you. You’ll look incredible.”

Keith thought for a moment, then said casually, “Fine. You can come as one of my assistants. Stay with Ian.”

Maya agreed happily.

She deliberately glanced at Kelly through the rearview mirror, trying to provoke a reaction, but Kelly kept her eyes closed, resting, not sparing her a single glance.

Maya huffed under her breath. “What an act.”

…

Morning.

The storm had passed overnight, leaving the snow still and undisturbed, as morning light slanted across the drifts, scattering into a dazzling shimmer.

The housekeeper, Maggie Smith, returned with her bag in hand. “Ma’am, I’m sorry. Last night the snow was so heavy, no drivers were taking rides.”

Kelly smiled faintly and shook her head. “It’s alright. Safety comes first.”

Maggie nodded repeatedly.

She watched Kelly dress Evan neatly and couldn’t help asking, “Ma’am, are you taking him out?”

Kelly gave a soft “Mm.”

“We’re heading out for a bit—might be back late. No need to prepare lunch for us.”

Maggie quickly agreed.

She had been hired after Kelly and Keith got married, brought in through an agency.

Since then, she had been helping care for Evan and preparing three meals a day for the family.

Just then, Keith came downstairs, with Maya following behind him.

Maggie’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively glanced at Kelly.

When she saw no reaction from her, she quietly slipped away.

Keith walked over and gave Kelly a light hug. “Heading out?”

Kelly nodded, not bothering to explain where she was going.

Keith didn’t press. “I’m heading to the office today to tie up the final details. Tomorrow, no matter what comes up, set it aside and come with me to the listing event.”

Kelly nodded faintly. “Evan, let’s go.”

She followed the address on the card to Sebastian’s residence.