CHAPTER EIGHTEEN – OLD WOUNDS REOPENED

Confusion swirled inside Kayla like a storm. The limousine raced down deserted streets. She could not stop thinking about what happened at the mansion. One moment, she leaned close to Lance. She wanted to kiss him. But then a woman with fiery red hair appeared. Her name was Raya. Raya's arrival made Lance angry. He yelled at her and his mother. Kayla did not understand the argument. She had many unanswered questions. The silence in the car felt heavy. Lance stared out the window. His jaw muscle clenched over and over. Kayla could not take the quiet any longer. "Lance, is everything okay?" she asked hesitantly. "We left the mansion so fast..." Lance said nothing. His face was blank. Kayla's stomach twisted with worry. "Who was that woman? Raya?" she tried again. Still no answer from Lance. Kayla attempted a different question. "Did your mother have something to do with Raya being there?" Finally, Lance turned his head. His eyes looked cold and distant. "Not now, Kayla," he s