Chapter 54

Around noon, just as Kayla stepped outside, her eyes Landed on Liam's car idling by the curb.

He got out of the car, reached for her hand like nothing was amiss, and said, "Let's go. I'll drive you."

She jerked her hand away and snapped, "Stay away from me."

With an indifferent shrug, he strolled to the front of the car and pulled open the passenger-side door."Suit yourself. Just get in."

Kayla bypassed him without a word, opened the back door, and slipped inside.

Once the car rolled forward, Liam spoke. "We're going to visit the Cooper family."

She shot back, "If you have something to say,handle it on your own. Why do I have to be involved?"

He caught her reflection in the rearview mirror."Haven't seen your dad in a while. Figured now's a good time."

Kayla scoffed, a flash of contempt flickering in her eyes. So now he was playing the dutiful son-in-law?

When the car stopped in front of the Cooper family's place, the security guard checked the license plate and swung the gate open.

"Everyone out!"

The moment Kayla and Liam walked through the door,Zoe's enraged voice rang out from upstairs.

A glass of water came flying down, smashing against the floor just inches from Kayla's feet.

She glanced upward and saw Amaya and Damon rushing toward the staircase, their expressions tight with worry.

"What's going on?" Liam took a step forward, his face painted with faux concern.

Damon, noticing Liam, quickly adopted a more attentive posture and stumbled down the stairs."Oh,it's nothing. Just an accident with Zoe. What brings the two of you here today?"

Kayla eyed the broken glass at her feet. Was it really an accident, or had it been deliberate?

"It's been a while, so I thought I'd drop by and bring some gifts for you." Liam held up several large bags,each overflowing with expensive items.

Damon's face brightened, his eyes glimmering with interest. He grabbed Liam's arm and led him to the sofa. "Have a seat. Let's relax with some coffee."

Meanwhile,faint shouts from upstairs caught Kayla's attention. Amaya and Zoe were having a heated argument, though she couldn't make out the words.

Turning to Kayla, Damon said, "Kayla, come join us.Why stand there like a statue?"

With a short nod, Kayla made her way over to the。seating area.

Upstairs, Zoe's fury was on full display as she angrily sliced through the fabric of a beautiful dress with a pair of scissors.

Amaya rushed in,yanked the scissors from Zoe's grasp,and snapped, "What do you think you are doing? You spent days getting this dress ready, and now you're tearing it to shreds? All that effort for nothing!"

Zoe's hair hung in wild tangles, her eyes red and swollen. She shouted through her tears, "What's the point in saving it? Jeremy didn't bother coming,So who exactly am I meant to impress?"

"That's ridiculous. He couldn't make it tonight, but that doesn't mean he won't come around later. I don't believe for a second that he plans to ignore you forever. What's got you so worked up?" Amaya said,her voice tight with irritation.

Zoe let out a piercing scream. "I couldn't care less! He made a promise, then bailed with just one phone call.How am I supposed to marry him if this is how he treats me?"

Amaya pulled her daughter into the room and clamped a hand over her mouth. "Lower your voice!Kayla and her husband are right downstairs. If they hear this, it's over."

Zoe's anger only deepened at the mention of Kayla."Why is she even here? Did she come just to gloat?"

"Stop it!" Amaya raised her hand in frustration but faltered, unable to follow through.

Zoe's voice cracked as she cried out, "You're really going to hit me? I'm the one he stood up. I'm the one falling apart, and you want to hit me? Seriously?"

Amaya let out a heavy sigh, lowered her arm, and said,"Whatever brought Kayla and Liam here today doesn't matter right now. What matters is that you get it together and come downstairs. Liam may be useless,but he is still a Graham. Don't let a single word of this nonsense reach his ears."

With that, she turned on her heel and exited the room.

Still seething, Zoe snatched the pillows from her bed and hurled them out the open doorway.

Meanwhile, in the living room below, Liam and Damon were deep in a lively conversation. To anyone watching, they could've passed for a real father-son pair.

Kayla sat off to the side, focused on her phone,skimming through the team's group chat.

Archie had just dropped a round of cash gifts. Kayla joined in and managed to collect a few hundred bucks,a small victory that made her grin, she'd treat herself to something good tomorrow.

"Sorry for the wait. Zoe just came back from a day out with her friends and needed a minute to freshen up," Amaya said with a breezy laugh as she approached. She rested a hand lightly on Kayla's shoulder. "It's been sometime. You've slimmed down!I'll have the staff make something special for you later. You should eat more."

Repulsed by her pretense, Kayla snapped, "Get your hand off mne."

Amaya traded an uneasy glance with Damon,then gave a tight smile and pulled her hand away.

Trying to smooth things over, Damon said, "Kayla, is that any way to speak to your stepmother? Where's your respect?"

"Stepmother?" Kayla scoffed under her breath,barely keeping herself from rolling her eyes.

Liam cleared his throat. "Actually, we came today because of Zoe. My grandfather would like to meet her."