The Heiress Chooses Madness novel Chapter 184

Caleb’s anger from moments ago slowly ebbed away. He sank back into his office chair, his expression stone- cold as he said, “Talk. I want to know everything Jackson’s been up to. Everything you know.”

It was what Kayla had been waiting for. She laid it all out–everything she’d learned across two lifetimes.

Of course, she couldn’t tell him about the rebirth part. She just made it sound like she’d stumbled onto the information by accident.

By the time she finished, Caleb’s face had smoothed back to normal. He was twirling half a pen between his fingers, methodical and calm.

But his eyes told a different story–bloodshot, burning with something dark and unreadable. A twisted half- smile played at his lips.

“You’re Jackson’s daughter,” he said slowly. “Why the hell would I believe anything you say? And more importantly–why come to me?”

Kayla’s lashes fluttered. She lowered her gaze. “Because my mom is the person I love most in this world. I won’t let anyone hurt her. Not even my own father.”

She paused, then lifted her eyes to meet his directly. Her gaze traveled over him, up and down, assessing. Caleb visibly tensed under her scrutiny.

Finally, she spoke again. “As for why I came to you–maybe it’s because besides me, you’re the only person my mom can actually trust.”

The pen slipped from Caleb’s fingers and clattered onto the desk. His head snapped up, eyes locked on hers. “What’s that supposed to mean? Did your mom say that?”

Something flickered in his eyes–looked almost like hope.

Kayla’s gaze wavered. She hesitated before finally saying, “Of course I know about you. How else would I have found you?”

Even as the words left her mouth, she was apologizing internally. ‘Mom, I’m so sorry. I know you hate lies, bu I don’t have a choice right now.‘

Though honestly, it wasn’t a complete lie.

In her past life, when Marianna and Davon had set her up, when the entire school turned on her, when Tristian assaulted her, when even Jackson acted like she didn’t exist–his own daughter–Bailee had mentioned reaching out to an old friend for help.

But before Bailee could make that call, she’d had the accident.

Kayla had a feeling that the friend was Caleb.

The icy mask on Caleb’s face slowly melted away. The corner of his mouth twitched upward, then wider, and something bright sparked in his eyes.

When he caught Kayla watching him, Caleb cleared his throat awkwardly, fighting back the smile threatening

to break across his face.

He said, “Well. That crybaby. Now she remembers I’m reliable? Where was this energy before?”

He smoothed back his slicked hair with one hand, looking ridiculously smug. “But whatever. Since she’s been following me around like a snotty–nosed kid since we were little, I guess I can throw her a bone. What can I say? I’m too damn nice. Always cleaning up her messes.”

But then his expression shifted. When he thought about what Bailee had been through, something murderous flashed across his face.

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