《Go Away, My Dear Ex-Husband》
"Are you sure you want to send this to the cops? If it's legit, your husband could be charged with hiding a criminal," the voice asked.
Kayla Sutton flicked her cigarette out, watching the smoke swirl up. This time, she didn’t think twice.
"Yeah, I’m sure. Take it to the station yourself." She ended the call, feeling oddly numb.
Those five years in prison had been the worst of her life. Just thinking about it still made the scars on her body throb.
Now, her revenge on her ex-husband begins.
Chapter 1
"Are you sure you want to send this to the cops? If it's legit, your husband could be charged with hiding a criminal," the voice asked.
Kayla Sutton flicked her cigarette out, watching the smoke swirl up. This time, she didn’t think twice.
"Yeah, I’m sure. Take it to the station yourself." She ended the call, feeling oddly numb.
Those five years in prison had been the worst of her life. Just thinking about it still made the scars on her body throb.
When she was finally released, she looked down at her old, faded clothes. But the second she looked up and saw Lionel Griffith, her husband, it hit her.
Five years. She barely managed a smile as she looked at him. But Lionel just glanced at her with a hint of disgust. "Get in the car."
Inside the car, she noticed her sister, Stephanie, sitting there too. Her face made Kayla's stomach twist.
"We're here to take you home!" Stephanie’s fake cheer faded fast when she noticed Kayla. "Why do you smell so bad? Didn’t you take a shower?" Her smile dropped, revealing how little she cared.
Kayla didn’t even bother to answer. She just stared out the window.
Life in prison had been tough, but honestly, the way things were now, she couldn’t even laugh at herself anymore.
She used to be the confident, up-and-coming CFO, a rising star in economics, making it to the top of accounting in her twenties. It felt like it all happened just yesterday.
Then that day came, the company was blindsided by a surprise audit from the bank inspectors. But Kayla always came prepared; she never went into a battle unarmed.
Except this time, when they went through the accounts, most of the files were missing from her computer. When they opened the safe, the paper records were gone too.
Kayla remembered seeing Stephanie walk out of her office right before everything went down. She tried to confront her, but Stephanie’s response was cold, "Do you have any proof?"
Her blood ran cold. She stood there, stunned. The safe’s password was her mother’s birthday and Stephanie was the only one who knew it.
On top of that, all the surveillance footage had been deleted. It took her a while to realize what had happened: she had been set up.
For years, Kayla had done everything right, never slipping up during an inspection or investigation. But after her mother died, her sister framed her and she ended up in prison.
She didn’t even know how she survived those five years. One minute, she was respected in her field and the next, she was a joke, despised by everyone. It felt like a sick joke.
When they finally pulled up to the mansion, nothing had changed except for the trees around it. The house her mom had left behind stood untouched. Kayla’s face stayed calm, but it was all just a mask. She hadn’t smiled in years.
Even in prison, she thought about one thing—her dog, Skippy. She had raised him for five years.
"Skippy! Skippy, I’m back!" she called out, but the yard was empty.
The lawn where Skippy used to play was now covered with roses—Stephanie’s favorite. But the roses were all thick with thorns, no place for Skippy to run around anymore.
The silence felt heavy and Kayla had this bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Chapter 2
Her heart skipped a beat. She whipped around, eyes red as she locked onto Stephanie. "Where’s Skippy?"
Stephanie didn’t even blink. She pointed at the rosebush next to her with a smile. "That dog was such a pain. Do you know how annoying he was? He crushed a bunch of my roses. Do you realize how expensive they are? Lionel gave them to me, airlifted straight from Windvale."
She finished with a shy smile, cheeks tinged pink, like she had just done a favor. Kayla’s gaze was ice-cold. "Where’s my Skippy? What did you do to him?"
At the sound of Kayla’s voice rising, Stephanie’s tone softened. "I…"
Lionel looked up, his eyes briefly meeting hers. For a split second, she saw panic flash across his face before he quickly recovered, lifting his chin. "Kayla, come on. It’s just a dog. No need to yell at your sister. Stephanie’s just being nice. She gave your dog to someone else."
"Someone else?" Kayla’s teeth ground together. “That’s my dog! I raised him for five years, he’s family!”
Skippy was the last gift her mom had given her before she passed, her 20th birthday present. She still remembered her mom’s last words, "Skippy will stay with you, even if I leave."
During those five years in prison, she had worried about him constantly—whether he was eating, sleeping, or doing okay. Lionel knew how much she cared, yet he let Stephanie give him away like he was nothing.
Just like when the account books went missing—no matter how many times she told him she wasn’t responsible, he never believed her, just left her with cold words, "You go in and fix yourself. I’ll be there when you get out."
The thought hit her like ice. Kayla took a deep breath, forcing herself to speak with forced calm. "You knew that was Mom’s last gift to me. Why would you just give him away without even asking?"
A loud voice echoed from inside the mansion. "Enough already! Is this ever going to stop?"
Kayla turned to see her father, Ferris Sutton, standing in the doorway. He looked serious and over the past five years, he’d become a lot more polished.
His gray hair looked untouched and that same disgusted look never left his face. As soon as Stephanie saw him, she dashed over to his side.
"Dad! It’s all my fault! If I hadn’t gotten rid of Skippy, she wouldn’t be so mad at us," she said, practically clinging to him. They looked like the perfect father-daughter pair. It was almost comical to Kayla.
"It’s just a dog. If she wants another one, buy her one. You’re already yelling the moment you come back? How embarrassing! Can’t you learn something from your sister?" Ferris snapped.
Kayla didn’t respond. She just looked at him with a blank expression.
The truth was, even though she and Stephanie were sisters, they couldn’t have been more different. One was adored by everyone and the other was the illegitimate daughter.
Kayla had once been the CFO of her own company, while Stephanie was just a small-time clerk Ferris had put under her. Stephanie acted all innocent, but Kayla knew she’d always wanted her position.
But now, she knew it was too late.
Kayla never thought her own father would turn against her. The moment she found out the truth, she was done with this family.
But the house was her mother’s gift to her and those people were the ones who should leave.
Kayla walked past him without a word and headed upstairs. The room that used to be hers had been completely redecorated, now drenched in the pink she could never stand.
Chapter 3
Kayla stood there, staring at the photo on the wall and it finally clicked; this room wasn’t hers anymore.
Stephanie's voice broke the silence. "You must be used to smaller spaces from your time in prison, right? I thought you might struggle with a bigger room, so I moved here. Hope that’s okay with you," she said, smiling sweetly.
Ever since Stephanie had joined the family, she had always had her eye on Kayla’s room. However, back then, Kayla had been the one in charge and even their father never dared to say no to her.
"Just go ahead and sleep, Kayla won’t mind," Lionel added with a smile, stepping in. He hadn’t smiled at her once since she got out of prison, so it felt strange now, like a jab to her chest.
She didn’t even bother to respond, just gave him a quick glance and felt a sharp ache in her heart. It was clear no one here was happy to have her back—not even Lionel.
Later, after getting some sleep, Kayla woke up, but it wasn’t the same. The bed at home felt too soft after years on a hard mattress and her back ached.
She headed downstairs and found the food already half-cold on the table.
"Kayla, that’s just leftovers. It's probably better than whatever they fed you in prison, though. You can eat it," Stephanie said, snuggling into Ferris’s side, her smile all sweetness.
Kayla looked at the half-eaten food, the mess on the table and then met Lionel’s eyes. For a split second, their gazes locked before he quickly looked away.
It stung. He had learned how to turn a blind eye to her.
Suddenly, she lost all appetite and walked out into the backyard, heading straight for the tree her mother had planted before she passed.
Kayla stood frozen, staring at the barren backyard. The tree her mother had planted was gone and all that remained was a wasteland.
She slowly walked toward the stump, her eyes catching something that made her stomach drop—white bones carelessly tossed aside. Her hand shook as she picked one up. It took a moment for her to process what she was holding.
It was a dog’s bone. Skippy. Her beloved dog had starved to death here.
Her breath hitched and tears filled her eyes as she clutched the bone. "Skippy... I’m so sorry."
Before she could collect herself, she heard footsteps approaching. It was Stephanie, looking at her with a smirk. "It’s just a dog. What’s the big deal? It ruined my flowers, so it got what it deserved."
Kayla’s lip curled in disgust. Apparently, flowers were more valuable than a life.
She gently laid the bones back in place and turned to head upstairs.
Lionel was waiting at the top of the stairs, his gaze fixed on her. He followed her as she walked into her room, catching her just as she pulled out her phone.
"Hello, police? I—" she started, but Lionel grabbed the phone from her hand.
"What do you think you’re doing?" he snapped.
Kayla met his eyes, her voice thick with emotion. "She killed my dog."
Lionel paused, his expression unreadable, before he hung up the phone. "It’s just a dog, Kayla. She’s your sister. Are you seriously calling the cops on her? Stop making a scene. You’re embarrassing yourself."
Kayla stared at him, her heart sinking. For the first time, the man she had loved felt like a stranger.
Embarrassing? When he had nothing, she had never once judged him for it.
Chapter 4
"Did you know about this all along?" Kayla asked, her voice sharp.
Lionel tossed the phone on the bed, his tone softening. "Stephanie didn’t mean it. She’s young, she didn’t understand. It’s over now."
‘Over?’ Kayla’s heart pounded. ‘Skippy was my family for five years!’ She stared at him, her anger and pain rising in her chest like a tidal wave.
"Whose side are you on, Lionel? You knew I was wronged, but you didn’t even care to hear me out. Is everything for her?" Her voice cracked as he turned and walked out, leaving her alone with the mess of emotions swirling in her mind.
She sank back into the past, her memories crashing into her like a storm.
Back in college, Kayla was something of a legend. Smart, beautiful—everyone thought she was untouchable. She could’ve had anyone, but she wasn’t interested in the rich, entitled boys trying to impress her.
She had bigger dreams. Even with offers to study abroad, she stayed. Kayla had promised her mother she would join her company and she did. She created something that made waves in her industry.
People said someone like her would never settle down, but then she posted her engagement photos. She had it all—except, apparently, someone who truly had her back.
And then there was Lionel. He wasn’t just the guy who saved her life after that car crash.
He was the guy who pulled her from the wreckage, just before the car exploded. After that, they really got to know each other.
Turned out, they had more in common than she realized—he had been a student at her school too.
Lionel was always there, showing up every morning with breakfast for Kayla, no matter how cold or stale it was.
He knew exactly what she liked and made sure to be by her side, day and night. Slowly, they fell for each other and decided to build a life together. But five years later, he wasn’t the same person anymore.
On the morning of her mother’s death anniversary, the rain drizzled outside the mansion.
“Who bought this white lily? It’s bad luck!” Stephanie sneered, tossing it aside.
Kayla walked downstairs, expressionless, giving it a quick glance. “It’s mine.”
Ferris appeared from the side, frowning. “What? Are you hoping I’ll die or something?”
Kayla shrugged. “You forgot today’s my mom’s death anniversary.” She didn’t feel like saying more and turned to head back to her room.
Just as she was about to leave, Stephanie was already packed and ready. “I’ll go with you to see your mom. Can I come?”
Kayla shot her a quick look. “No need.”
Lionel, though, ignored Kayla’s words and took the bag from Stephanie’s hand. “Let’s go then. We’ll go together,” he said, not caring at all about Kayla’s refusal.
It wasn’t surprising to her—he knew how much today meant to her, but still treated it like it was no big deal.
The drive wasn’t long, just half an hour.
When they got to the cemetery, Kayla immediately noticed her mother’s grave. It was covered in dust, with weeds growing all around it.
Compared to the others, it looked abandoned, like no one had been here while she was away.
Before Kayla could say anything, Stephanie started crying. “I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t take care of Kayla. She ended up in jail and we haven’t visited you in five years. You always taught us to be good people and even though Kayla’s made mistakes, we won’t forget her. Don’t worry.”
Chapter 5
Stephanie kept going on about her mistakes and Kayla, pissed off, yanked a bunch of weeds from the grave and tossed them at her feet.
Her eyes went icy, glaring right at Stephanie. “This is my mom, not yours! Stop pretending to be the perfect daughter. You haven’t been here in five years. You don’t even know how I ended up in prison!”
Stephanie’s face flickered with panic and she grabbed Lionel’s sleeve without thinking. Lionel stepped in front of her, but Kayla couldn’t believe it—there he was, standing in her way.
“Kayla, how can you talk to your sister like that? She’s just speaking the truth! You broke the law, that’s on you, not her!” Lionel said, his voice firm.
Kayla just sneered, her eyes still locked on the tombstone. “Is that so?”
She had known for a while now that her family didn’t have her back. The first thing she did after getting out of prison was track down the person in charge of the security footage.
Since Lionel wouldn’t help her, she would do it herself. She’d learned the hard way that trusting anyone but herself wasn’t an option.
She had spent a lot of money to get the contact details of the fired employees—money her mom had secretly saved for her, money most people would never see in a lifetime.
She was going to meet them and this was the first time she would step out since being released.
She dressed quickly, determined to get things done on her own. But just as she was about to leave, Lionel stopped her. “Kayla, where are you going?”
Kayla slowed down, trying to hide what she was up to. “Just going out to pick up a few things.”
"I'll drive you," Lionel offered.
"No need," Kayla replied flatly.
He hesitated, then grabbed a jacket from the couch and handed it to her. "It’s cold outside. Put this on."
Kayla paused, looking at him, trying to make sense of his actions. But she couldn’t figure it out. "I’m fine," she said, but Lionel didn’t let it go, pulling the jacket over her shoulders.
She didn’t argue, too worn out to care anymore.
As she drove, Kayla replayed the earlier scene in her mind. Nothing could change what had happened, but it didn’t stop the anger from bubbling up.
She had finally gotten her hands on the surveillance footage, she’d seen Stephanie steal the account books with her own eyes.
Kayla gripped her fists. Five years of waiting and now she wanted revenge. She wanted Stephanie to feel what she had felt—pain, loss, betrayal. She wasn’t going to let this go.
Just as she was about to leave, she saw something that stopped her in her tracks. Stephanie was sitting at a table, sipping tea like she had all the time in the world.
But it was the man sitting across from her that made Kayla's heart drop—he was from the rival company, the one who had tried to steal her mother’s tech.
Kayla watched as Stephanie handed him a stack of documents. It all clicked. They were planning to take everything, the company, the money, everything her mother had left behind.
She never thought Stephanie would go this far.
Later, when she got back home, Stephanie was there waiting. "Where are you off to this time?" she asked, her voice too sweet. "Looking for a job?"
She smiled a little too knowingly. "I heard from Lionel you're job hunting. I’m the financial director now. You can just work for me. No need to go out and look elsewhere."
Chapter 6
"Who would want to hire someone who's been to prison?" Stephanie laughed, looking at Kayla like she was beneath her.
As soon as Kayla left for prison, Stephanie stepped right into the spot she had always wanted.
Kayla’s eyes stayed cold, her expression unreadable. "Really? What about you? Going out to meet a guy?"
Stephanie’s face went bright red. "What are you talking about?"
Kayla smirked, her gaze never leaving Stephanie. "Why the flush then? Have you been doing something you shouldn’t?"
Stephanie snapped. "Mind your own business! Even if I did, what could you do about it?"
She tried to walk away, but Kayla grabbed her arm. "No, you’re explaining this before you leave."
Suddenly, Stephanie collapsed, crying like she couldn’t control it. "Why did you push me? I was just trying to help you get a job! I know you have big pride, but you're not the same as before!"
Her crying was enough to get Lionel’s attention. He rushed over, picking her up without asking a word. He glared at Kayla, furious.
"Kayla! This is too much! Stephanie is just trying to help, but you’re treating her like this? I’m seriously disappointed in you."
Without another word, he carried Stephanie back to their room. Kayla watched them go, her heart sinking. It was clear as ever now—Lionel was no longer on her side.
She stayed there, still, as the pain hit her all at once. It felt like a needle prick, sharp and unexpected.
After a while, she finally went back upstairs, the cold air still making her skin prickle. Standing outside Stephanie’s room, it hit her. This wasn’t her place anymore.
Through the crack in the door, Kayla caught sight of Lionel massaging Stephanie’s feet, his hands working their way up her calves with oil.
It hit her like a slap in the face and she stood there, frozen for a moment, the sight making her stomach twist. A bitter smile formed on her lips as she turned to leave, but then she heard voices inside.
"Lionel, she’s starting to figure out that I’m framing her. What should I do?" Stephanie’s voice wavered, full of fear.
Kayla stopped in her tracks. She couldn’t believe it. This was the first time she had heard Stephanie admit it out loud.
"She’s been asking about the account books. Someone mentioned it to me today. What if she finds out? I’m scared," Stephanie said, sounding weak.
Lionel just pulled her into his arms. "What’s the problem? The evidence is solid. It’s not on us. If she’s gonna blame someone, let her blame her own bad luck. She should’ve stayed longer in prison."
His words hit Kayla hard, like a punch in the chest.
So, he knew all along. He and Stephanie were in this together, after her money and her position.
All the love he had promised her was all a lie. "Forever"? "Never parting"? Ridiculous. He knew exactly what she had gone through and not once did he care.
Soon, the sound of laughter filled the room. Kayla turned, walking back to her own space, the tears coming before she could stop them, her laughter bitter and empty.
That night, sleep didn’t come. She lay staring at the ceiling, the glow from the streetlights forming a dim, starry sky.
For the first time, she felt something shift inside her—like the emptiness she had been carrying was being filled with something new, something faintly hopeful.
Chapter 7
Kayla woke up with a sense of rebirth, like something inside her had come back to life.
That morning, she passed the evidence to her friends, ready to deal the final blow to those who had wronged her. It was her turn to make them pay and she wasn’t holding back.
Later, she went to a tattoo shop to cover the scars she had been carrying.
A phoenix, symbolizing hope and new beginnings, was inked on the scar on her clavicle. She felt a little lighter, like the past was finally behind her.
When Kayla got home, she saw them—Lionel, Stephanie and her father—all sitting around the table, eating together. She wasn’t in the mood to join them. Just the thought of sitting at that table made her sick.
She turned to leave and head upstairs, but Lionel called out. “Hey, come eat something. I’ll get you some bread.”
Kayla looked at the plate and spoon on the table. Her heart skipped and for a second, she almost let herself feel like it was the old days. But things were different now.
Five years ago, Lionel would’ve done whatever it took to take care of her. But now, he was busy with someone else.
“No thanks, I already ate outside,” she replied, her tone flat.
Stephanie snickered. “Let her be. She still thinks she’s all that. Does she?”
Lionel stared after Kayla as she walked away, a little confused.
Something had changed. She wasn’t the same, but he couldn’t figure out exactly what it was. Maybe she didn’t smile like she used to. Maybe there was something else going on that he didn’t understand.
Then, a loud squeal snapped him out of his thoughts.
“Ah! Isn’t this the dress I wanted? Thank you, Lionel!” Stephanie held up the dress, practically dancing with excitement.
“Your birthday’s in two days, right? This is my gift for you.” Lionel’s voice was soft, his smile warm as he watched Stephanie spin around, holding the dress to her chest. “As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters.”
From the corridor, Kayla stood frozen, the scene cutting through her like glass. It was hard to look away. Then Lionel glanced over and spotted her, his expression shifting.
“Stephanie’s birthday is coming up,” he said, as if an explanation was necessary. “This is for her.”
Stephanie carefully placed the gown back in its box, then threw Kayla a glance, casual but pointed.
“Do you know how long this dress takes to get? A whole year! Lionel’s amazing—he always knows how to make my birthdays special.” Her tone dripped with pride and the corner of her mouth curved just enough to make her point.
Kayla’s mind drifted, unbidden, to birthdays past. Back when her mother and Skippy were alive, the house would be full of laughter, the air rich with the smell of cakes and flowers. Lionel used to go all out—truckloads of blooms, extravagant gestures, everything just to see her smile.
And then came prison. Birthdays became just another day in a gray cell.
At first, she thought Lionel might visit, that maybe he hadn’t completely forgotten. But he hadn’t forgotten. He just had other priorities.
Stephanie’s voice broke into her thoughts. “Oh, Kayla, don’t forget—Lionel’s throwing me a birthday party in a few days. Businesspeople, influencers, you know the crowd. You should come. I’ll even introduce you to someone who might have a job for you.”
Her smile was bright, her tone sweet, but her eyes danced with mockery.
Kayla’s lips parted to decline, but Lionel spoke first. “Of course, Kayla will be there,” he said smoothly. “She’ll come to support you.”
Kayla’s jaw tightened as she stared at Lionel, then Stephanie. He knew she hated these events, hated the pretense and posturing of high society.
Once upon a time, it had been her world too—luxurious parties, polished smiles, endless connections. But now? That world felt hollow, like an echo of a life that wasn’t hers anymore.
Chapter 8
‘Why should I need to play along now just because of Stephanie?’ Kayla thought. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words lingered unspoken as she decided against it.
Two days later, at the party, Stephanie was in her element. She wore the limited-edition dress Lionel had gifted her, glowing under the lights as guests showered her with attention.
Her laugh was bright, her smile magnetic, she looked every bit the centerpiece. Even Lionel, in his perfectly tailored suit, stood beside her like a proud accessory.
Kayla stayed in the background, sipping her wine in quiet observation. She wasn’t in the mood for theatrics, but Stephanie had other plans.
Spotting Kayla from across the room, she strutted over, her eyes locking on the sleek black dress Kayla wore.
For a moment, Stephanie’s expression faltered when she noticed the phoenix tattoo on Kayla’s collarbone, the symbol bold and unapologetic.
Then her gaze flicked back to the dress and a sneer replaced her hesitation. “Oh, my God,” Stephanie said, loud enough to draw a few curious glances. “You’re seriously wearing that here? A fake, no less.”
Kayla’s brow lifted as she swirled her glass, unfazed by Stephanie’s theatrics. But Stephanie wasn’t done.
“You do realize this crowd will see through it in a second, right? Don’t humiliate yourself. Lionel went through so much to get that dress for me and failed, yet you think you can waltz in wearing a knockoff?”
The whispers started—small, sharp and traveling fast. Kayla stayed quiet, watching Stephanie soak in the attention.
“I mean, come on, Kayla,” Stephanie continued, her voice dripping with mockery. “Where would you even get the money? Didn’t you just get out of prison?”
Kayla finally looked up, meeting Stephanie’s smug gaze with an unbothered calm. Her lips curved slightly as she raised her glass.
“Fake?” she said lightly. “Just because you couldn’t get it doesn’t make it fake.”
The room went still for a beat, Stephanie’s face flushing with anger. Her triumph flickered, replaced by uncertainty as Kayla’s cool confidence silenced the murmurs around them.
Kayla swirled the wine in her glass, her lips brushing the edge as she took a small sip.
She glanced at Stephanie, her voice steady but laced with sharpness. "Where did I get the money? Funny, you’re spending my money, aren’t you?"
Stephanie’s confident smirk wavered.
Kayla leaned back slightly, her tone casual but cutting. "Let’s not rewrite history here. The Sutton Family, the company, it was all built on what I handled. After Mom passed, I ran everything. Dad may have played his part, but every major deal? That was me."
She let her words sink in before adding, "And in the five years I’ve been gone? Sutton Group hasn’t moved forward at all. It’s still coasting on the work I left behind. Without me, it would’ve folded by now."
Stephanie’s cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment, but she stomped her foot, raising her voice to drown out the growing whispers. "What’s that supposed to mean? Do you think Dad and I didn’t do anything for this family?"
Kayla didn’t blink. "You want the truth? You didn’t."
Stephanie’s eyes widened in shock. She clenched her fists, clearly struggling to maintain her composure. "Kayla, don’t act so high and mighty. You were the one who went to jail! Dad and I kept the company running while you were gone. Everyone knows that!"
Kayla raised an eyebrow, her calm demeanor unshaken. "Everyone knows, huh?" She placed her glass down slowly, her voice lowering but no less lethal. "Do they also know about you cozying up to the head of our rival company at that café last week?"
The color drained from Stephanie’s face. She stumbled a step back, her confident facade shattering. "You—you don’t know what you’re talking about!" she stammered, her voice pitched with panic.
Kayla tilted her head slightly, her eyes locking onto Stephanie’s with a calm, knowing gaze. "Don’t I?"
The crowd around them erupted in hushed murmurs and Stephanie’s frantic glances at the onlookers only made her guilt more obvious.
Chapter 9
"Kayla, I know you're upset about the company, but you don’t have to take it out on me." Stephanie’s voice trembled, tears pooling in her eyes.
"This title is nothing. If it means so much to you, I’ll give it back." She looked at Lionel, seeking reassurance, her eyes red.
Lionel’s brow furrowed as he turned to Kayla. "Kayla, Stephanie is just trying to help. If there’s an issue, we can handle it at home. Was it really necessary to make a scene here?"
Kayla’s chest tightened as she stared at the man who was supposed to have her back. Her husband. And yet, he stood there defending someone else, like she was the outsider.
"Wasn’t she the one who embarrassed me first?" Kayla snapped, her voice cold and steady.
Lionel didn’t answer her. Instead, he gently brushed away Stephanie’s tears, ignoring Kayla entirely. It wasn’t the first time he had done this, but it still stung like it was.
"As my husband, shouldn’t you be on my side, not someone else’s? Or does that no longer matter to you?" she asked, her words laced with bitterness.
Lionel’s reply was sharp. "She’s not someone else, she’s your sister. Everything I do is for your own good."
Kayla’s lips curved into a hollow smile. ‘For my good? That’s a joke. Was it for my good when you let them put me in prison? When you let her take my life and twist it into hers?’
"I’m sorry," Stephanie interjected, her tone soft but smug. "This is all my fault. Don’t be mad at Lionel."
Kayla’s gaze flicked between the two of them—the doting husband, the tearful victim. It was pathetic. And somehow, she was the villain here.
She laughed quietly, but it held no humor. "You two deserve each other," she muttered before walking away.
By the time she got home, the anger had dulled into exhaustion. She kicked off her heels, wincing as the blisters on her feet throbbed.
Picking one up, she turned it over, her eyes landing on the size stamped on the sole. Too small. Of course, it was.
Kayla stared at the shoes in her hands, her fingers brushing over the delicate straps. She was size 8. Of course, they didn’t fit.
Lionel had handed them to her in a rush before the party, saying, “New shoes for a new path.”
She wanted to laugh. The same man who once bought her slippers because he couldn’t bear to see her in heels for too long had suddenly forgotten her size?
Her eyes narrowed. These weren’t bought for her at all. These were Stephanie’s castoffs. The realization hit like a slap.
‘Scraps. He gave me scraps.’
With a sharp breath, Kayla stood, grabbed the shoes and walked straight to the trash can. She didn’t hesitate, tossing them in like they were garbage—because that was exactly what they were.
Things that didn’t fit should’ve been thrown away a long time ago. Just like people who didn’t belong.
By evening, her phone buzzed. Messages from Stephanie lit up the screen. [Kayla, you know now, Lionel loves me.]
Attached were two photos and a video. The photos were enough. Stephanie and Lionel, cozy in bed together. Kayla didn’t need to open the video to guess what it contained.
Another message followed:
[While you were locked up, he shared my bed.]
[You’re nothing now, just a penniless ex-con. What gives you the right to fight me?]
[If you want to stay in the Sutton Family, I’d suggest you behave.]
Kayla stared at the screen, her face blank, her heart aching. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. This wasn’t the first time Stephanie had tried to rub her smugness in her face. But this time, it didn’t sting the way it used to.
This time, it fueled her.
She picked up her phone and made a call.
“Mr. Louis, it’s Kayla,” she said, her voice cool and composed. “Please execute the additional clause in my mother’s will.”
“Ms. Sutton, are you sure about this?”
“I am,” she replied without hesitation.
She ended the call and set her phone down. Kayla leaned back, a small, resolute smile tugging at her lips. The game was finally about to change.
Chapter 10
In the dim light of her room, Kayla stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.
The past few years played in her mind like a movie on repeat. She had been without a father for so long and now she was about to get rid of her husband.
That night, she slept better than usual, the peace almost too good to be true.
The next day, she dragged herself out of bed around noon, taking her time with everything. Then she heard it; Stephanie’s scream from outside.
"Who picked my rose field?! Aahhh!"
Kayla sighed, hearing the stomping and slowly made her way downstairs. "I had someone pick them. What’s the big deal?"
She never liked roses, not with all their thorns. And since they were Stephanie’s favorite, destroying them felt like the perfect revenge.
Stephanie stood there, stunned. "Are you out of your mind? Do you have any idea how much work I put into those?"
Kayla barely glanced at her, tone indifferent. "And? I don’t like them, so..."
Lionel appeared at the top of the stairs. He didn’t come back to Kayla’s room last night, so it was obvious where he had been. Kayla couldn’t bring herself to care. She was too tired of him to even look his way.
"Look, Lionel! She ruined the flowers you bought for me!" Stephanie complained, her voice high-pitched.
Lionel, already fed up with the noise, sighed. "I’ll get you new ones, okay? Better ones."
Stephanie immediately turned sour, her face falling. "No! I want those ones! Kayla, you better put them back the way they were, or else!"
Kayla smirked, clearly unfazed. "Oh yeah? What’s gonna happen?"
The challenge in her voice only made Stephanie snap even harder. "Dad! Lionel! Look at what she’s doing!"
Ferris finally walked over, his face hardening. "Kayla, that’s enough. Apologize to your sister."
"Why? It's my house. I can do whatever I want!" Kayla shot back, unfazed.
Ferris was visibly annoyed, but she didn’t care. She had never feared him and now even more so. He was a useless man who only had what he had because of her mother.
Stephanie, trying to defend her father, snapped, "How can you prove that? This house belongs to Dad!"
Ferris gave her a cold, indifferent look. "Apologize now, or you can pack your things and leave!"
Kayla almost smiled, but quickly wiped it away. This house, this family—none of it was her home anymore.
She gave him a look that could freeze ice. "No, you should be the ones to leave. This house is in my name."
Stephanie had always been too naïve to understand that Ferris had nothing. Then, Ferris shifted uncomfortably, his eyes avoiding hers. "It’s just a house. Fine, you can have it."
He knew full well that this house didn’t belong to him.
Stephanie chimed in, "Who cares about this dump anyway? Let’s just buy a new mansion!" She gave a smug little smile.
However, Kayla tossed the will contract onto the table with a shrug. "Oh, I forgot to mention. Before Mom died, she added a clause. If you’re unfaithful or unjust, you get nothing. And guess what? You’ve done both."
The moment Kayla brought up the clause, Ferris froze.
