"How have you been, my sweetheart?"
Jane hugged Kyra warmly, as if she were her own granddaughter—a greeting even Jas didn’t receive from his grandparents.
Creighton, the iron-willed old man, offered Jas nothing more than a pat on the back and a curt inquiry about his well-being. Yet, for Kyra, his deanor softened as he grinned and placed a familial kiss on her cheek.
"Do you have enough pocket money to hang out with your friends? You haven’t asked for any in a while. Tell grandpa, how much do you need?" he said gently, rubbing her head with genuine care.
Creighton and Jane had always doted on Kyra more than their own grandson. Kyra’s sweet and caring nature was endearing in their eyes, a stark contrast to Jas, who had matured faster than his peers and grown distant. While Jas was often indifferent, Kyra was affectionate—spoiled yet thoughtful.
She would massage them, watch TV by their side, or accompany them on walks. Kyra understood how easy it is for elderly like them to feel lonely, especially for Creighton and Jane, who had suffered the devastating loss of their son and daughter-in-law. Kyra’s companionship filled the void.
This was also one of the reasons why they accepted Kyra without question. While they still had another son, daughter-in-law, and a grandson, Kyra’s situation was different. She had no other family to turn to.
Kyra’s father, Victor Thorne, had been the sole heir to the Thorne family fortune. Her grandmother had passed away before she was born, and her grandfather succumbed to cancer when she was just five, too young to grasp the permanence of death.
The tragic accident that claid the lives of both Jas’ and Kyra’s parents left her the last living mber of the Thorne family. Her loss, compounded by her young age, deepened Creighton and Jane’s resolve to shower her with all the love they had left to give.
"I’m fine, grandpa, grandma." Kyra smiled. Her voice almost ca out in a sob. For the first ti in a while, she flashed a genuine smile. Her heart felt warm from the elderly’s affection that she had missed so much.
In the past, she would often visit them despite the distance. The elderly couple lived in another city far from the hustle and bustle of the capital city. As soon as they retired, they chose to settle down in a much calr area, leaving the company in the hands of their second son and grandson.
That’s why Kyra would at least stay for a week before returning ho. However, starting from the beginning of this year, Kyra’s visits slowly decreased. Despite the elderly’s constant plea, Kyra brushed them off by saying she was busy.
How could she face them with this feeling in her heart?
Jane sighed deeply, keeping Kyra tightly in her embrace, unwilling to let go. "It’s been so long since you visited us. You kept saying you were busy. Please don’t follow your uncle’s example, you’ll make us lonely."
Creighton nodded in agreent. "Indeed, one freezer is enough. Any more, and it’ll feel like a blizzard. These old bones couldn’t handle that."
As he spoke, the old man cast a pointed glance at Jas. Speechless, Jas maintained his indifferent expression, but the chill in his deanor lted the mont Kyra chuckled.
He turned to her, dazed. It had been a long ti since he’d heard her laughter. She looked so at ease, her smile lighting up the room. Watching her, Jas felt a surprising warmth in his chest.
He missed this. She looked so lovely.
Before he knew it, the corners of his lips lifted slightly. Indeed, happiness suits her better, he thought.
While Jas was caught up in Kyra’s smile, Lila quietly observed him. Her eyes fixed on his expression—one she had never seen before. Her fingers tightened around the hem of her Chanel dress as she turned to the scene unfolding between Kyra and the elderly couple.
A spark of jealousy ignited in her heart, growing hotter with every second. Just fifteen minutes ago, that had been her place. Creighton and Jane had showered her with praise, yet now they barely noticed her. Their attention was entirely on Kyra.
A bitter thought crept into her mind: What’s so special about an orphan like her?
She’s not even prettier or more accomplished than .
She’s also spoiled. Everything she has is all because of the Synders.
So why does everyone adore her?
Consud by envy, Lila’s frustration got the better of her. Boldly, she spoke up. "Then, what if I visit you, Grandma? I can accompany you so you won’t feel lonely."
Everyone turned their heads to her. Cressida’s eyes lit up at Lila’s initiative offer. She was about to swoop in to seize the chance just now but Lila was smarter than she thought. She really didn’t make the wrong choice back then.
"Well, isn’t that nice of you, Lila?" Cressida moved to support her. She turned to Jane and began her persuasion. "What do you think, Mother? Won’t it be nice to have another child to visit you every now and then. After all, Lila has more ti than Kyra since she’s the CEO of her own company. Her work hours are a lot more flexible."
Vincent, Jas’ uncle, nodded in agreent. "I agree. This will give Kyra more ti to hang out with her friends too."
Kyra’s chest tightened, and her expression grew tense as she listened to the trio eagerly trying to push Lila toward Jane. She could see right through Cressida’s intentions. As for Vincent, she wasn’t sure—maybe he was just following his wife’s lead—but Cressida’s motives were crystal clear.
After all, Kyra had clashed with Cressida more than once, yet she still didn’t understand the source of her hostility until today. Was it really because Jas cared too much for her?
Regardless, Kyra wasn’t about to let Lila take her place so easily. But, just as she was about to speak, Creighton beat her to it.
"Isn’t being a boss busier than being an ordinary employee?" The old man raised an eyebrow at Lila, who maintained her polite smile. "Sure, the working hours might be more flexible, but there’s a lot more to manage—etings, responsibilities, decisions. This old couple wouldn’t want to burden a stranger with taking care of us."
His words were calm yet sharp, cutting through the atmosphere like a knife. Kyra felt a surge of relief, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly. She didn’t know whether Creighton deliberately drew the line or whether he unintentionally called her a stranger.
Lila’s smile almost fell at the word ’stranger’. Although they had only t today, she was still Jas’ girlfriend! So, shouldn’t they start treating her as a family?"
And true to the proverb, ’birds of the sa feather flock together’, Cressida also possessed the sa thought. "What do you an by a stranger, Father? Honestly! Lila is Jas’ girlfriend and from what I heard, she might soon be a part of the family."
Kyra balled up her fists at Cressida’s words. It was getting harder to maintain her composure. anwhile, Lila blushed in response while Cressida nudged the girl’s arm teasingly.
"What do you an by that?" Jane imdiately perked up. Her lips unconsciously ford a wide smile. Excitent was written all over her face.
"Right, you probably have yet to hear about it since you’re not active online but just last week, these lovebirds had their romantic escapade to Italy! And not just for one or two days, they were actually gone for a week!"
Jane gasped in surprise. "Oh my, is that true?" Never had she t any girl who was able to make the workaholic man let go of his work just to spend ti with her.
"Auntie..." Lila nudged at Cressida, blushing shyly. She looked so adorable just like a teenage girl in love.
"Why so shy, dear?" Cressida teased with a laugh, her voice brimming with excitent. "And let tell you, Mother, their love is all over the news. We’re practically drowning in dog food every day!"
Jane turned to Jas in disbelief, her hand covering her mouth as a wide smile spread across her face. The old lady looked overjoyed, and Creighton wasn’t far behind, grinning ear to ear.
"Why didn’t you tell us, Boy?" Creighton asked, his tone light but curious.
But Jas didn’t respond. Instead, his lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze fixed on the girl sitting across from him. In truth, Jas had been watching Kyra since the conversation began, and he couldn’t ignore the way her expression changed.
The breaking point ca when the topic of his trip to Italy with Lila was ntioned. The mont it surfaced, Kyra’s eyes locked onto his. Her vibrant blue eyes turned solemn, reflecting a storm of emotions—hatred, anger, and sadness all swirling into one condemning stare.
Jas felt his chest tighten. Just days ago, he hadn’t flinched when he hurt her. Yet now, her gaze felt like a thousand daggers piercing him at once.
She had just smiled a mont ago...
That radiant look she had as she lay in his arms minutes earlier was gone, replaced by a cold, distant glare. And for so reason, Jas couldn’t accept it. Unwillingness churned in his chest, an unfamiliar ache he couldn’t shake.
Without realizing it, the turmoil in his heart spilled out through his lips.
"What’s there to tell?" Jas said, his eyes never leaving Kyra. "It was just a business trip, and Lila insisted on coming along."
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