CHAPTER SIXTY FIVE – BREAKING UP WITH HIM

And in that moment, Kayla realized she couldn't let him make that sacrifice. "Don't do it, Lance," she said, her voice barely above a whisper as she turned to face him, his expression awash with tormented indecision. "Don't give up everything you've worked for, everything that's so important to you. Not for me." Lance's brow furrowed, his eyes swimming with a firestorm of emotions. "Kayla...I can't let her force this decision, this life she's trying to trap me in. Not when you mean more to me than any legacy." Kayla shook her head, a sad finality settling over her as she reached up to caress his cheek. "That's why I have to walk away. Why I can't let you sacrifice so much on my behalf." "Don't you dare –" Barbara started, but Kayla leveled her gaze at the imposing woman, a newfound strength thrumming through her veins. "I'm doing this for him," she stated, keeping her voice calm but resolute. "If loving me means Lance has to abandon every sense of purpose and heritage in his life,