Chapter 7

"Mr. Morgan."

When Kaylee used this formal address, Susanne's heart sank.

As a woman, she understood. Using "Mr. Morgan" meant Kaylee had completely given up on Alex.

Genuinely fond of Kaylee, Susanne forced a smile. "Dear, did you and Alex have another fight? He's immature, unlike you, but he'll grow out of it..."

"Aunt Susanne," Kaylee interrupted gently. "We didn't fight. We broke up. I've made my decision."

"I know we've spoiled Alex, but he's not a bad person."

"After my mother died, everything was settled legally. When my father abandoned me, your family put me through school, gave me a home. You've been more than generous. I'm truly grateful to the Morgans. Being mindful of my position, I took good care of Alex, which gave me the chance to attend an elite university."

Kaylee was genuinely grateful to the Morgans and Susanne.

As a housekeeper's daughter, without that incident, she would have attended a regular public school, with far fewer opportunities.

"Dear..."

"Alex never loved me. In four years together, we never shared a room or any intimacy. He has someone he loves. Everyone deserves happiness. Though your family helped me immensely, I can't stay with someone who doesn't love me. We'd both be miserable."

Kaylee's voice was firm, her resolve clear.

Footsteps sounded behind her.

Before Kaylee could turn, Susanne called out, "William! Why are you home?"

William emerged, smiling slightly while adjusting his cufflink. "Thought I'd drop by. Am I interrupting?"

"Not at all! Have you eaten?"

Susanne quickly stood to welcome him. William now controlled the Morgan family's businesses, wielding absolute authority.

"Yes."

William pulled out the chair beside Kaylee and sat down, resting his arm on the table.

Kaylee noticed their elbows almost touching and quickly pulled her arm back.

Susanne didn't notice. "What would you like? I'll have more dishes prepared."

"The spicy chicken fajitas and jalapeño buffalo wings," William answered without hesitation.

Kaylee's heart jumped.

Those were her favorites.

"Do we have the ingredients? We can order from the market if needed," Susanne turned to the housekeeper, explaining to William, "No one here eats spicy food, we might not have what's needed."

The housekeeper quickly replied, "We do!"

In fact, William had called that afternoon, instructing her to prepare everything.

Twenty minutes later, both dishes arrived.

The aroma of spices filled the small dining room.

Susanne just watched, not daring to try. "William, I never knew you liked spicy food."

William picked up a buffalo wing. "Always have. I just hide it well."

Kaylee caught sight of the black opal cufflink on his wrist, her heart inexplicably racing.

That comment seemed loaded with hidden meaning.

William took only two bites before setting down his fork. "I had a late lunch at my meeting. I'm not very hungry. Perhaps Dr. Lawson would help me finish these?"

"Kaylee can't handle spice," Susanne answered for her.

Kaylee's hand paused on her plate. After a moment's silence, she said, "Actually, I can."

She'd broken up with Alex. No need to pretend anymore.

She took a bite of the spicy fajita.

The family chef was truly talented. Known for delicate, flavorful dishes, they clearly excelled at spicy cuisine too.

Seeing no reaction on Kaylee's face, Susanne assumed the dish wasn't spicy. She tried a piece herself and turned bright red, drinking three glasses of water.

Once recovered, she asked, "Kaylee, how can you handle such heat?"

"I... I can handle spice."

Kaylee answered diplomatically. The truth was, she loved spicy food - couldn't eat anything else.

But during her years with Alex, she'd kept herself small, always putting his preferences first.

Never again.

William's lips curved slightly. "I'll call ahead when I'm coming home. We should have some of my favorites for dinner."

Susanne agreed, looking thoughtfully at Kaylee.

-

This was the most satisfying meal Kaylee had eaten since moving into the Morgan house.

Afterward, in her room, she called Wendy to ask for a $50,000 loan.

"Aren't you paying the Morgans $200,000? How much do you have saved? What will you live on?" Wendy decided, "I'll lend you $100,000, but you can't repay it for a year. Interest is $1,000."

"I..."

"That's settled then. I'm out for dinner, talk later."

Before Kaylee could respond, Wendy hung up.

Just then, she heard a car start outside.

From her window, she watched William's Bentley pull away.

He came home... just for dinner?

Lost in thought, her phone rang again.

Assuming it was Wendy calling back, she answered while watching William's taillights disappear into the night.

"..."

The call connected, but all she heard was background noise. No one spoke.

Kaylee finally checked her screen.

It was an unknown number.

"Hello? Can I help you?" she asked politely.

Still no response.

Kaylee waited, assuming it was a wrong number and about to hang up...

“Kay-kay.”

An old, raspy male voice came through the line.

Kaylee's hand trembled in shock.

The phone clattered to the floor.