Chapter 5
Chapter 5: Next Step
As Lexie left, she didn’t grab anything except, weirdly enough, she took that stranger’s suit jacket with
her.
Strolling down the street a bit wobbly, the blazing sun didn’t do much to shake off the chill she felt. She pulled out her phone and called, “Kat, can you come pick me up?”
Twenty minutes later, Kaitlynn Lara rolled up in a red sports car in front of Lexie.
Checking out the white bandage on Lexie’s leg, Kaitlynn lowered her sunglasses, a concerned look on her face. “Baby, what happened to you?”
“Kat, can I crash at your place for a bit?” Lexie said wearily, slumping into the seat. She casually spilled the beans about the showdown with Callum, her tone light, almost like narrating a story about someone
else.
“Seriously, the Wallace is a bunch of morons! Who the hell is this Abbie chick? How dare she even put herself in the same league as you?!” Kaitlynn’s pace quickened, fueled by pure rage. “For all these years, without you, that Callum was nothing in New York. Is he completely oblivious, or just shameless, trying to steal all the credit? Those Wallaces are like leeches, draining you dry, taking advantage of you! The biggest disgrace is that jerk Callum. He kicks you out the moment that Abbie bitch shows up. Damn, I swear I’m gonna kick his damn ass!”
Lexie calmly responded, “Kat, a life with loving parents and a happy marriage seems like it’s just not in
the cards for me.”
Kaitlynn’s mind inexplicably wandered to Lexie’s childhood, a slight furrow in her brow reflecting concern. “Baby, don’t be sad.”
“Since it doesn’t seem to be my destiny, I won’t chase after it in the future, and I won’t let it get me down anymore.” Lexie weakly tugged at her lips, closed her eyes slowly, and said, “I’m exhausted, I’ll catch
some Zs.”
Kaitlynn sensed something off with Lexie, touched her burning hot skin, silently cursed, and sped to the hospital.
On the ride, she vented her anger on the whole Wallace family.
Back when the Wallace family was struggling on the edge of New York City, if Lexie hadn’t been the brains behind their plans, what right did Callum have to become the hotshot in New York City today?
They only treated people like gold when they were useful. The moment Abbie showed up, he eagerly
booted Lexie out!
The Wallace family was making a huge mistake. They really thought Lexie was just some small town girl. Kaitlynn couldn’t wait to see how long the Wallace family could maintain their upper–class dream.
As the fever gradually subsided, Lexie woke up in the hospital bed.
She found herself in a white room, the smell of disinfectant making her scrunch her nose in disgust.
Her consciousness slowly returned, and she instinctively looked around, only to lock eyes with a figure sitting by the bed.
She jumped a bit, gripping the blanket, and in a scratchy voice, she said, “Uncle…”
“How are you feeling?” Emmett Koch stood up, casually placing his palm on Lexie’s forehead. Sensing
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Setting
hapter 3 Next Step
nothing off, he let out a silent sigh of relief, poured a glass of warm water for Lexie, and handed it over “Sull feeling sick?”
Lexie shook her head briskly.
“Kat filled me in on what went down.” Emmett looked at Lexic’s pale, worn–out face, a mix of sadness and anger in his eyes.
Sad for Lexie’s ordeal, angry at the shamelessness of the Wallace family.
He took a deep breath, pushing down the anger in his chest. “What’s your next step?”