Ann let out a sharp gasp, her excitement instantly shattered by Kayden’s cold tone.
Pouting, she crossed her arms and shot back, “What kind of thing is that to say? ‘Do you want’? Can’t I just want to see you? Maybe I don’t have a reason, but you’re my brother! Ever think I just want to talk?”
Kayden didn’t respond, his piercing gaze locked on her. He didn’t need to.
“Talk?” he thought bitterly. There was nothing for them to talk about.
To him, the Scott family meant nothing-just a distant name he was tied to by blood. And Ann? She wasn’t much different. Sure, they were half-siblings, but they’d only met recently. She was a stranger.
He didn’t dislike her, but he couldn’t say he liked her either. He had no room for meaningless chatter or forced connections.
Ann studied his face, her irritation growing as his silence stretched on. Finally, she sighed dramatically. “Alright, fine! You got me. I do have a reason for coming.”
“Then say it,” Kayden replied. His tone was clipped, almost bored.
Ann hesitated for a heartbeat before blurting, “Have you heard about Brodie’s engagement? Grandpa says the wedding can’t happen unless you come back!”
Kayden let out a dry laugh, sharp and humorless. Of course, it was something like that.
Ann noticed his reaction and quickly added, “Don’t get me wrong! I also wanted to see you. After all, you’re my brother.”
Kayden’s expression darkened as he sighed, his frustration barely contained. “Why do all of you insist on dragging me into this nonsense? I don’t care about Scott family affairs.”
Ann frowned. “That’s not fair, Kayden! We are family, aren’t we? Even if we don’t share the same parents, we share the same grandfather. Brodie’s been through so much, and now that he’s finally getting engaged. Don’t you think he deserves a break?”
She clasped her hands together, her eyes wide and pleading. “Please, Kayden. I’m begging you. If you come back, Brodie and his fiancee will thank you for the rest of their lives!”
Kayden’s icy glare didn’t waver. “I don’t care. Your family’s engagements, weddings, or whatever else-none of it has anything to do with me.”
With that, he turned and walked away.
Ann chased after him, her voice rising. “Please, Kayden, I’m begging you!”
But Kayden didn’t stop. He didn’t care about Brodie. He didn’t care about the Scott family. The only thing tying him to them was the unanswered question of what had happened fifteen years ago-the murder of his parents.
“Enough.” His voice was low, sharp, and cold enough to cut through Ann’s desperation. “Stop following me. I don’t hate you yet, but if you keep this up, I might.”
Ann, undeterred, grabbed his arm like a petulant child. “No! I’m not stopping. If you don’t come back, I’ll follow you today, tomorrow, and every day after that. I’ll keep following you until you agree!”
Kayden smirked, a flicker of amusement in his otherwise cool demeanor. “That depends on whether you can keep up.”
Before Ann could respond, he shook her off and bolted down the street.
Ann froze for a moment, stunned by his sudden speed. Then, with a determined glare, she took off after him.
Kayden darted through the streets like a shadow, his movements quick and precise. Ann gritted her teeth, refusing to give up.
The sight of a young woman chasing a man down the street quickly caught the attention of onlookers.
“What’s going on?” someone muttered.
“I heard he grabbed her butt and took off,” another speculated.
“Wrong! She cheated on him, and now she’s trying to win him back,” a third chimed in.
“No way! I’ve been watching them. He owes her money, and she’s been chasing him for blocks!”
The crowd’s theories grew more ridiculous as Kayden turned sharply into a narrow alleyway. Ann followed close behind, her determination only growing.
“You think you can lose me?” she shouted. “I was my school’s long-distance running champion!”
But just as she thought she was gaining on him, Kayden’s figure blurred. With a sudden rush of speed, he vanished completely.
Ann skidded to a halt, her breathing ragged as she stared down the empty alley. Her mind reeled. “What the hell? Where did he go?”
Frustrated, she cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, “Shadows! Shadows! Are you there?”
Almost instantly, two large men appeared, moving with an eerie precision that sent a ripple of calm through her.
These were the Shadows-elite bodyguards assigned by the Scott family to ensure Ann’s safety.
“We’re here, Miss. What are your orders?” they asked in unison.
Ann pointed down the alley, still catching her breath. “Go! My brother ran off-find him and bring him back!”
Without hesitation, the Shadows sprinted into the darkness.
Ann watched them disappear, then stomped her foot angrily. “Ugh! What kind of brother is this?!”
Frustrated and out of options, she waved down a passing car and climbed in, muttering under her breath as she drove off.
Meanwhile, high above, perched silently on a tree branch, Kayden watched her retreat. One foot rested lightly on a single leaf, as if he were weightless.
A sly smile played on his lips as Ann’s car vanished into the distance.
Shaking his head, he murmured, “Still too naive, Ann.”
Then, with the faintest movement, he disappeared into the night.