?Chapter 10:


    Katelyn’s p came without warning, leaving Neil stunned.


    Lise’s eyes widened, her voiceced with fury as she spat, “What the hell is wrong with you?”


    Neil’s gaze red with rage, but Katelyn stood firm, ignoring the sharp pain in her hand.


    “We’ve settled the score. We are even now.”


    Katelyn was not only talking about the p; her words carried the weight of their rtionship.


    Neil caught the deeper meaning, his face paling. A sudden fear gripped his heart, sensing he was about to lose something important.


    Before he could respond, Katelyn added sharply, “If either of youes after me again, I will not stop at just a p. It disgusts me even to share the same space or breathe the air you do.”


    Katelyn turned on her heel and walked away purposefully, her high heels echoing as she left. Neil watched her retreating figure, unable to tear his eyes away.


    Lise gently touched his cheek, her expression filled with a mix of concern and regret. “Are you okay, Neil? Katelyn crossed the line this time. She used to be so gentle. Was that all just an act? Have we been deceived by her all this time?”


    “That is enough!” Neil lost his patience, ripped off his necktie, and stormed toward the entrance. He had no intention of listening to whatever she had to say.


    Lise stood frozen, shocked by how he had never treated her like this before.


    Her fists clenched tightly.


    Stay connected at g?lnσν????s?c?m


    She shifted all the me onto Katelyn.


    An hourter, Katelyn made her way back to the Bailey residence.


    The past two days had been overwhelming, leaving Katelyn feeling utterly drained.


    Her parents were seated on the sofa. Katelyn nced at them and murmured, “I’m home, Dad, Mom.”


    Sharon Bailey, her mother, quickly put down the jewelry she had been holding and patted the sofa beside her, inviting Katelyn to sit. “Kate, you look so pale. Are you feeling ill?” she asked with a worried tone.


    Katelyn took a deep breath. As she looked into her parents’ concerned faces, she paused briefly before sharing the difficult news.


    “Mom, Dad, I’m getting a divorce.”


    The words fell like a thunderp, shocking everyone. It took Sharon a few seconds to regain herposure. She asked, “What is going on? Have Neil and you not always seemed so happy together?”


    Not only did her parents see them as a devoted couple, but their friends also believed Katelyn and Neil were deeply in love.


    Jeff jumped to his feet, his anger causing him to stumble as he tried to steady himself. He red at Katelyn and demanded, “Did he mistreat you? I’ll set him straight.”


    As Jeff prepared to confront Neil, Katelyn quickly intervened. “No, Dad, please don’t go. Neil is involved with someone else. We have both decided to get a divorce.”


    Sharon clenched her teeth. “Who is this disgraceful woman? I will make her pay.”


    Katelyn, however, was reluctant to divulge further details. Sharon gently patted the back of Katelyn’s hand and continued, “You can’t go through with the divorce right now. It will only y into that woman’s hands. Your father had affairs when we were younger. One of those women even unted her pregnancy. What happened in the end? She had the abortion and left the country. If she ever dared toe back, I would make sure she regretted it.”


    Katelyn blinked, surprised by her mother’s revtions. She wondered if infidelity was amon trait among men.


    Embarrassed, Jeff rubbed his nose and cleared his throat.


    “Those were events from decades ago. Why bring them up now?”


    Sharon shot back fiercely, “Of course, I’d always remember. You would too if I were unfaithful to you. I would have divorced you long ago if it weren’t for Katelyn. But I didn’t, because I refuse to give those women the satisfaction.”


    The passage of time had left its mark on her face.


    Sharon was more robust than most andcked conventional charm. Known widely for her short temper, Jeff, unable to tolerate her, had cheated on her.


    When Sharon discovered the affair, she caused a scene, and Jeff, fearing further embarrassment, ended it.


    Blushing and at a loss for words, Jeff finally stammered, “Let’s focus on Katelyn’s situation.”


    Katelyn, struggling with a migraine, tried to stand up.


    “Dad, Mom, I need to rest. We can discuss thister.” As she took a step, a wave of dizziness overcame her.


    The room spun before her eyes.


    Suddenly, she copsed to the floor and lost consciousness.


    “Kate! Are you alright?”


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