Chapter 8

Kate's POV:

Pamela is still as annoying as ever, always pulling her manipulative strings, and somehow, Kyle is still caught in her web. The fact that he can’t see through her schemes is both laughable and tragic. She’s been trying to overshadow me for years, stealing my spotlight whenever she can. I used to let her, shrinking back to keep the peace. But not anymore.

I face her, a sharp smile on my face, masking the fury bubbling beneath the surface. “All this fuss over a $50,000 car? Wow, Pamela, you must have it bad to be so shocked. You’re beautiful, but dating a guy who thinks that’s all you’re worth? Wild.”

Her face twists with rage, her eyes wide and neck veins bulging. “You think $50,000 is nothing? I swear, you’ve never seen that much money in your life!”

Of course, Kyle chimes in, like clockwork. “Kate, there’s no need to brag just to impress me. I don’t care.”

I raise an eyebrow, my voice calm but biting. “Impressing you would be the stupidest thing I could do, Kyle. You’re not worth it, and I’m not flaunting anything.”

He laughs, a short, disbelieving chuckle. “Kate, stop embarrassing yourself. We both know you can’t afford $50,000.”

Just as I’m about to respond, a staff member interrupts. “Actually, sir, she’s here to purchase a $200,000 car, the new Tesla.”

The gasp that follows is delicious.

Pamela, still furious, spits out her disbelief. “There’s no way she’s buying a $200,000 car! This has to be a bluff.”

Kyle’s expression shifts, confusion clouding his face. “Is that true? You’re really buying a car for that much?”

I meet his eyes, unflinching. “It’s hard for you to believe, isn’t it? You thought I’d crumble after the way you treated me, but the truth is quite the opposite.”

Pamela isn’t done yet, still desperate to tear me down. “I won’t believe it until you pay. You’re just showing off!”

But when the payment clears with a satisfying *ding*, and the staff confirms it, her face drains of color.

Pamela stammers, “How… how is that possible?”

I turn to Kyle, enjoying the bewilderment etched into his features. "Wow, you’re so surprised, dear."

But his next words cut deep. Kyle is still ridiculing me.

“Don’t tell me you turned into a hook-up girl, Kate. That’s disgusting.”

Pamela, eager to pile on, sneers. “That must be it. There’s no way you could afford this out of nowhere. You’re a prostitute now, aren’t you?”

It’s laughable, really. The accusations are desperate, hollow. They have no idea how much I’ve grown. What makes it even funnier is the knowledge that I’m about to take over a company that Kyle’s firm is practically begging to collaborate with.

I smile, cold and sharp. “You really have a talent for accusations, Kyle.”

His face darkens. “You cheated on me while pregnant, Kate. Don’t pretend you’re above anything for money. You’ll do anything for money.”

That’s it. The audacity to bring up the pregnancy—the pain, the loss. I can feel the rage rising, memories of him burning our child’s future flashing before me.

“Shut up, you bastard!” I snap, my voice trembling with anger. “Hook-up or not, I just bought a $200,000 car. You could never even dream of doing that.”

Pamela laughs, though the sound is hollow. “Kyle can do it. Show her, Kyle. Show her that $200,000 is nothing to you.”

But Kyle is silent. He swallows hard, avoiding my gaze, and that makes me and Helena burst into laughter.

“Don’t pressure him, Pamela. He can’t afford it,” I say, turning to leave, but Kyle grabs my arm.

Helena moves forward, ready to intervene, but I stop her. “Kyle,” I hiss, “what do you think you’re doing?”

“Kate, must you be this ruthless?”

I try to yank my arm free. “This is nothing compared to what you did to me. You haven’t even seen ruthless yet—more is coming in a very surprising way.”

He takes a step closer, desperation creeping into his voice. “Look, I know I made a mistake by letting you go. You can still come back. You don’t have to live like this.”

Pamela’s face twists in shock. “Kyle, are you serious? You’re going to take her back?”

He ignores her. “Kate, I feel sorry for you. You’re living recklessly.”

I laugh sweetly. “My life is none of your concern, Kyle. Now leave me alone.”

But he doesn’t move, still gripping my arm like I’m his to control. My patience is running thin, and Helena steps forward again, but before she can do anything, someone else steps in.

A firm hand yanks Kyle’s grip from me. “What do you think you’re doing with my woman?”

I turn sharply, eyes narrowing at the sound of the voice. Standing before me is a man—

The man standing before us is all intensity. Tall and lean, his black leather jacket clings to his frame, while a silver earring glints from his left ear. His eyes are cold, locking onto Kyle without a hint of emotion, and his voice is calm but dangerous. He has tinted hair.

“What do you think you’re doing with my woman?” he says, and his golden teeth sparkle.

I don’t know him, but I’m not about to say that out loud. The way he speaks, the way he holds himself—Kyle is already backing down, and I’m not going to ruin that moment.

"Who is he?" Kyle asks, puzzled.

"I told you, she is my woman," the man says as he pulls my hand and drags it closer. Before I know it, I’m resting on his chest.

Who is he? What is he doing?

I gaze up at him, and what happens next is unexpected. I’m met with his lips, then they press softly on mine.

He kisses me!