It took Kayla a moment to process what had happened. Her eyes filled with confusion and disbelief. “Mr. Carter, what do you mean?”
Her voice trembled slightly. She couldn’t reconcile the enraged, almost crazed man before her with the kind elder in her
memory
Max’s features twisted as if years of pent–up bitterness and pain had found an outlet. His eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse with rage. “Shut up! Your family ruined my life. Isn’t that enough? Did Bailee send you to laugh at me now?”
The next moment, he grabbed everything within reach–cups, books, photo frames–and hurled them at Kayla. A series of shattering sounds followed as the objects scattered across the floor.
Kayla instinctively stepped back to dodge, but a flying object still struck her forehead. A large bump swelled instantly, and she screamed in pain, clutching her forehead, “Ah!”
Max’s movement halted. He kept hold of the glass but looked dark and furious. He roared viciously, “Get out! I don’t want to see you. Get lost! I…”
Rage seemed to ignite a fire within him, but it was quickly replaced by intense suffering. Max trembled from violent coughing, each gasp shaking his chest, his clenched fists white and veined.
Seeing the pain etched on his face, Kayla forgot her injury, her eyes full of concern. “Mr. Carter, are you alright? Open the door. Let me help.”
“None of your business! Get lost!” Another fit of coughing seized Max, so hard it sounded like he’d tear himself apart. His pale face flushed red from suffocation.
Kayla felt helpless and anxious, separated by the door, unable to do anything to assist.
Just then, hurried footsteps and anxious voices came from the stairwell. “Dad! Dad, what’s wrong? Calm down. I’m back.”
“Mr. Carter, are you alright?”
Before Kayla could react, two boys brushed past her and rushed into the dim room. They knelt beside Max–one gently rubbing his back to help him breathe, the other quickly pouring water and offering it to him. They knew very well how to handle this situation.
“Dad, why get upset again? The doctor said no stress. Why won’t you listen?” The boy’s scolding voice couldn’t hide his
concern.
‘Mr. Carter, leave things to Eli and me. You should focus on getting better.” The other voice was calm and firm, full of
concern.
The room was dim. Kayla couldn’t see their faces, but their voices sounded familiar.
With the two boys‘ comfort, Max calmed down. He hung his head, refusing to look at Kayla, and pointed at her with a trembling finger. “Make her leave. I don’t want to see her.” Though his coughing had stopped, his anger remained.
At that, the two boys turned their attention to Kayla, their expressions turning to surprise. They exclaimed in unison, “It’s you! Why are you here?”
Kayla recognized them, and her lips twitched slightly. No wonder they sounded familiar. They really were people she knew, She asked, puzzled, “What are you two doing here?”
1/2
7:57 pm
Chapter 93
$5 vouchers
They were none other than Payton, whom Kayla had just run into at the hospital, and Elijah Carter, the Yellow Spike she had met once before.
Kayla thought. Yeah, that gullible boy. What an unbelievable coincidence. We actually met here!
Max’s face darkened. He glared at Elijah. “You know each other?”
Elijah smiled awkwardly, scratching his head, “I… Uh, I met her once in an alley near Payton’s place. So… Does that count as knowing each other?”
He wasn’t sure. After all, he didn’t even know Kayla’s name. But he remembered her clearly, strikingly beautiful, well–dressed vet humble, with a sweet tongue.
The memory of her calling him “handsome” flashed in his mind. His cheeks warmed slightly, and he unconsciously pressed his lips together. He thought. That’s seriously embarrassing.
Payton’s eyes flickered with thought, ‘Kayla went to the alley near my house? That area is dirty and run–down. What was she doing there?‘
Before Payton could figure it out, Elijah clapped him heavily on the shoulder and asked, “Payton, how do you know her?”
Elijah looked at Payton with envy and wondered, ‘When did Payton know such a pretty girl? How come he never introduced him to her?
Payton gazed at Kayla with a complicated look. “She’s my classmate, Kayla Sexton.”
Elijah nodded, finally getting it. He thought, ‘No wonder Payton knew such a refined girl. They’re classmates.‘
Thinking this, Elijah couldn’t help but feel a little down. He sighed inwardly, ‘It’s good to be in school. Not like me…
Max’s eyes swept over them. He snapped, “I don’t care if you know each other. Get her out now!” With that, he grabbed an ashtray and threw it at Kayla.
Payton’s expression changed. Instinctively, he rushed forward and shielded her. The ashtray struck him hard, making him grunt in pain before it rolled down his back and shattered on the floor.
Kayla was shocked and bewildered by Payton’s action. She thought, ‘We’re classmates, but we’re not close enough for him to
take a hit for me.
Besides, I threatened him at school and the hospital. Why does he hold no grudge against me and even protect me? I told him I wouldn’t give him anything in return. Why does he still do this?‘
2/2
