Chapter 4
“Get in the car.”
Calista stared at Ken, bewildered. “Why are you here?”
His brows furrowed in irritation. “You pushed Viola down yesterday and ruined her dress. today. Don’t you think you owe her an apology?”
“I never pushed her, and I didn’t ruin any dress. Stop accusing me!” She turned to leave, but Ken caught her arm roughly. He froze when he noticed the bruises marking her delicate
skin.
“What happened to your arm?”
Calista felt tears threatening to spill. “Don’t you already know?” she asked softly.
Discomfort flickered across Ken’s face before his expression hardened. “You’ve become quite manipulative,” he said coldly. “Would you really hurt yourself just to frame Viola?”
His words cut deep. “After all these years, Ken, is that really who you think I am?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, attempting to soften his tone. “It’s just an apology, Calista. Why is that so difficult?”
She turned away, but not before a tear escaped.
Back home, Ken was waiting. He threw a paint–stained dress at her feet.
“What is this?”
vou ruined Viola’s dress. She can’t attend the party now,” he said icily. “Clean it, and I’ll
leave you alone.”
The white fabric was splattered with bright paint–clearly intentional, but not her doing.
Maranch: Second Chance at Happiness
didn’t do this, and I won’t clean it.”
Ken’s frustration boiled over. “This is my fault! You’ve completely lost your moral
compass!” His fists clenched as disappointment flickered in his eyes. “If you don’t clean this dress, I’ll throw your luck charm in the pool!”
Calista felt as if she’d been struck by lightning. She stared at him, stunned.
“Ken, that luck charm was my mother’s…” Her voice quivered. “How could you…”
Seeing her tears, Ken instinctively reached out to wipe them away, but Calista flinched hack. His hand hung awkwardly in the air before dropping.
“Don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” he said. “Clean the dress, and you’ll get your luck charm back. This dress means everything to Viola. Try to understand her position.”
“Do you really need to humiliate me like this?”
Ken couldn’t grasp her anguish. He was just trying to teach her a lesson, but her tears troubled him.
“Don’t think about running to my father. He’s away on business.”
Calista took a deep breath. “Fine. I’ll clean it…”
After Ken left, Viola appeared in the doorway.
“Oh, Calista, I’m so sorry,” she said with mock sympathy. “I just used up all the hot water.. You’ll have to wash it in cold water instead.”
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