Kylee’s words left Jessica cold, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. Once, she had believed Kylee to be a genuinely caring sister, but those illusions had long since shattered.
Kylee pressed on, her voice tinged with an air of regret. “Jessica, I know I hurt you. Three years ago, I mistakenly thought you pushed me. I realized too late it was an accident. I tried to explain to Dad, but he refused to listen. I’m truly sorry you suffered because of my mistake. Can you forgive me, just this once?”
Despite Kylee’s seemingly remorseful tone, Jessica’s face remained impassive. She could recall that fateful day vividly. Kylee had cried out, accusing her, “Jessica, why did you push me?” Yet when their father had punished Jessica, Kylee had made a weak attempt to retract her words. By then, the damage had already been done.
Fixing Kylee with a steady gaze, Jessica asked bluntly, “Did you invite me here just to rehash old wounds?”
Kylee shook her head, her expression growing more serious. “There’s something more pressing.”
Without hesitation, Kylee leaned in and admitted, “While you were overseas, I kept an eye on Mr. Clark for you. His ex-wife has been circling him for the past three years. Now that you’re back, you can’t let her continue. She’s brazenly interfering in your marriage, and you need to put a stop to it. She has to learn her place.” Her fists clenched, as if ready to fight on Jessica’s behalf.
Jessica’s lips curved into a faint, sarcastic smile. This fiery display of support felt all too familiar. How had she failed to notice Kylee’s excessive interest in Ethan before?
Tilting her head slightly, Jessica remarked, “Don’t you think it’s strange for my sister to involve herself so deeply in my marital affairs? It almost seems as though you might have… ulterior motives regarding your brother-in-law.”
Kylee’s confident demeanor faltered for a moment, a flicker of unease crossing her features. But she quickly composed herself, adopting a look of wounded innocence. “Jessica, that’s not fair. My concern is purely for you. I was afraid you might be struggling in the Clark family. That’s why I kept an eye on Ethan. It’s painful that you’d misinterpret my intentions like this.”
Jessica’s cool gaze met hers, and her tone remained even. “I appreciate your concern, Kylee. But I’d prefer you keep out of my relationship with Ethan.”
A brief pause hung between them, the air charged with unspoken tension. For a fleeting moment, Kylee’s composed mask slipped, revealing something darker beneath. In the past, Jessica would have apologized at the first sign of conflict, eager to keep the peace. But not anymore.
Kylee’s mind raced. She assumed Jessica’s resistance stemmed from lingering resentment over the events three years prior. No matter. With Jessica back, Kylee felt certain she could regain control. After all, she’d always known how to manipulate her sister.
Seeming to shift gears, Kylee’s expression brightened as if struck by a sudden idea. “Have you thought about your career plans now that you’re home? I was thinking—how about joining me at Grand Plains General Hospital?”
Jessica’s brow furrowed slightly at the mention of the hospital, her thoughts clouding for a brief moment.
