Bound by Fate & Power

Chapter3

Kayla rushed home as fast as she could. The moment she got out of the taxi, she hurried toward the house and pushed the door open. Her mother jumped in shock at the sudden noise, but the moment she saw Kayla standing there, her expression softened. “M-Mom…” Tears instantly filled Kayla’s eyes. Before her mother could react, Kayla ran forward and hugged her tightly. Then she burst into tears. Her mother looked both confused and worried as she tried her best to calm her daughter down. “Kayla? What happened?”

“Did something happen at work?”

“Did someone bully you?” But Kayla only cried harder. Almost thirty minutes passed before she finally calmed down. Her eyes were swollen and puffy from crying. Her mother sat beside her quietly, studying her with concern. Still, she looked relieved that Kayla had finally stopped crying and wiping tears all over her clothes. “Dear,” she asked softly, “what’s wrong?” Kayla slowly shook her head before forcing a small smile. As she stared at her mother’s face, she suddenly noticed something she had missed earlier. Her mother looked younger. There were fewer wrinkles around her eyes now. For a moment, Kayla nearly broke down again. But she held it in. “I’ll make you something to eat,” her mother said gently. Kayla nodded immediately. She quietly watched her walk into the kitchen. And for the first time in years… Kayla felt truly at peace. Back then, everything had started because of one mistake. She had forgotten important documents at home and asked her mother to bring them to her workplace during heavy rain. After that day, everything changed. Roland had stepped into her life, using his money and power to solve every problem around her. At the time, Kayla thought she could rely on him. Now she knew better. Kayla’s eyes turned red again as memories from her past life surfaced one after another. Instinctively, she looked toward the kitchen again just to reassure herself that her mother was still alive. Alive and healthy. Right here beside her.

And this time…

Kayla was determined to protect that happiness no matter what. Unable to stop herself, she walked into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around her mother from behind. “I missed you so much, Mom,” she whispered softly. “And no matter what happens, you have to live a long life. Even if you reach one hundred years old.” Her mother laughed warmly and patted her hands. “I’ll definitely try my best, my dear.” When the food was finally ready, her mother placed everything onto the table. Kayla took one bite. Then another. Almost immediately, tears filled her eyes again. “M-Mom…” She sniffed softly. “I missed your cooking so much…”

“This is really delicious.”

Her mother sat beside her and sighed helplessly. “Kayla,” she said gently, “tell me the truth.”

“Are you really alright?” Kayla slowly placed her fork down before looking directly at her. “Mom…”

“I’m thinking about quitting my job.” Her mother blinked in surprise. “I want to work somewhere else instead.” Kayla clenched her hands tightly beneath the table. “Please trust me.” A brief silence filled the room before her mother smiled softly. “Anything you decide to do, I’ll support you no matter what.” Hearing those words made Kayla’s chest ache painfully. In her previous life, she had sacrificed everything for Roland. This time would be different. No matter what happened…

She had to stay away from him.

No more working together.

No more getting involved with him.

And hopefully…

No more meeting him at all.

Meanwhile…

Back at the office, Tia had been bothering Roland nonstop ever since she arrived. “Tia,” Roland finally said coldly while rubbing his temple, “I have work to do.” “You keep distracting me.”

“And you’re making my headache worse.”

“Leave.”

Tia immediately looked offended. “Excuse me?” She placed a dramatic hand against her chest. Before she even arrived, Roland had already been complaining about headaches. Now he was shamelessly blaming her for it. Absolutely unbelievable. “Roland Qin,” she said in disbelief while narrowing her eyes at him.

“How dare you?”