Chapter 3: Goodbye
His fingers curled around the envelope in his pocket, the
weight
of his grandfather’s final message pressing against him. He hadn’t opened it yet. Hadn’t watched the video. He wasn’t sure why he was hesitating, but something about it
unsettled
him.
Kael’s footsteps echoed as he crossed the marble floor toward the living room. He just needed to grab the last of his things and leave.
But, of course,
nothing
was ever that simple.
Because sitting on the velvet couch, scrolling through her phone like she owned the place, was
Lily
.
His
cousin
.
And the most
arrogant
person he had ever met.
She was beautiful—there was no denying that. Long dark hair, sharp hazel eyes, designer clothes that probably cost more than his entire net worth. But beneath all that beauty was something
rotten
.
She looked up as he entered, her lips curling into a slow,
cruel
smile.
"Well, well. If it isn’t the disappointment of the family."
Kael exhaled sharply, already
exhausted
.
"Not in the mood, Lily."
She tilted her head, setting her phone down.
"You should be grateful, you know."
He raised an eyebrow.
"For what?"
"For being allowed to stay here for as long as you did."
She stretched out lazily, her expensive bracelet catching the light.
"Honestly, it was kind of funny. Watching you act like you belonged here."
Kael clenched his jaw. He had expected this. Lily had never let him forget that he wasn’t like the rest of them.
He was an
outsider
.
Because unlike her, unlike Eric, Vanessa, and the rest of their
spoiled
family—Kael’s father had been cast out.
For something as simple as
love
.
His father, Thomas, had been born a Lancaster, raised with wealth and privilege. But then, he did something
unforgivable
.
He fell in love with a
servant
.
Kael’s mother.
That one decision had shattered everything.
Theodore Lancaster
had cut him off, erased him from the family like he had never existed.
And Kael?
He had grown up far from all of this. No mansions. No expensive cars. Just the constant struggle of
making ends meet
.
Lily smirked, crossing one leg over the other.
"You really thought taking care of the old man would change anything?"
Kael didn’t respond.
Because, deep down,
some part
of him had thought that.
When he finished college and found himself drowning in debt, when job after job slipped through his fingers, he had finally swallowed his pride and reached out to his father.
That was when he learned about his grandfather. About his wealth, his sickness, his power. And Kael had made a decision.
If the Lancaster name had destroyed his father’s life, then maybe—just maybe—it could
save
his.
So he had come here.
His grandfather had been cold at first, distant. He barely acknowledged Kael’s existence. But Kael had stayed. He had endured the
insults
, the
dismissals
, the way his grandfather treated him like an unwanted guest in his own home.
Because he needed something.
And in the end...
He got
nothing
.
Lily’s laughter pulled him from his thoughts.
"You know, I was almost impressed. Two years of wiping a dying man’s mouth, feeding him, dressing him—"
Her eyes gleamed with amusement.
"I mean, you were basically his maid."
Kael’s fists tightened, but he forced himself to stay
calm
.
Lily wanted a reaction. She wanted to see him
snap
, to see him
humiliated
one last time before he walked out of here for good.
"Are you seriously ignoring me?"
she snapped, her voice laced with disbelief.
Lily Lancaster was used to people catering to her every whim, used to getting under people’s skin with a single glance, a single insult.
But not this time.
Not with
him
.
"You’re pathetic, you know that? You thought taking care of an old man would make you rich?"
She laughed.
"Guess what? You’re still nothing. Just like your father."
Kael let out a slow breath and met her gaze with an expression
colder than steel
.
"Move."
Lily blinked.
It was a single word. A simple
command
.
But the way he said it—sharp, low, and
final
—made something shift in her expression.
For the first time, there was no amusement in her eyes.
Only
discomfort
.
She scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
"Whatever. This place isn’t yours anymore anyway."
Kael didn’t respond. He just walked past her, heading upstairs to his room.
Packing was quick.
Kael didn’t own much. Just a few clothes, a cheap wristwatch, and some books he had collected over the years. Everything fit neatly into his duffel bag.
Outside, he heard Lily’s voice again,
frustrated
, snapping at someone—maybe a housekeeper, maybe no one at all.
He didn’t care.
With one final look at the room, Kael slung his bag over his shoulder and walked out.
Lily stood at the base of the staircase, arms crossed, still
fuming
. But this time, she didn’t say anything.
She just watched as he left.
He didn’t bother saying goodbye.
And then he
left
.