Bound by Fate & Power

Chapter4

Kayla woke up suddenly, sweat pouring down her face. Her breathing was uneven as she quickly looked around the room, trying to make sure everything that happened yesterday wasn’t just a dream.

The room.

The bed.

The soft morning light.

Everything was real.

Without wasting another second, she rushed out of her room and ran straight into the kitchen, wrapping her arms tightly around her mother from behind. Her mother jumped slightly in surprise. “Kayla?” Confused, she turned around, but she never pushed her daughter away. Instead, she gently patted Kayla’s hands. “What’s gotten into you this morning?” she asked with a small laugh. Kayla buried her face against her shoulder. Nothing felt more comforting than this warmth. “Go wash up,” her mother said softly. “I’m making breakfast.” Kayla nodded obediently before finally letting go and heading toward the bathroom. But halfway around the corner, she stopped. Quietly, she peeked back into the kitchen. Her mother was humming softly while cooking breakfast like normal.

Alive.

Safe.

Kayla finally released a shaky breath and smiled faintly. After washing up, she joined her mother for breakfast. The two chatted and laughed together, and for a brief moment, Kayla almost forgot the nightmare of her previous life.

Almost.

As she watched her mother smile while placing more food onto her plate, Kayla lowered her head slightly.

Thank you…

Thank you for giving me another chance.

A painful lump formed in her throat. She almost started crying again but quickly wiped her eyes before her mother noticed. This time would be different. Her life would go the right way this time. As long as she stayed far away from him. After breakfast, Kayla returned to her room and began writing her resignation letter. At first, everything was fine.

Then suddenly

Memories from her past life started flashing through her mind one after another.

Blood.

Crying.

Locked doors.

Roland’s voice. “You belong to me.” Kayla’s breathing became uneven. Her hands trembled violently. Cold sweat slowly dripped down the side of her face. Her heartbeat grew louder and louder inside her ears.

Then

Her phone started ringing. Kayla froze. She stared at the screen without moving.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three.

Fear slowly crept into her chest.

Is it him?

Did Roland come back too?

Does he remember everything?

The questions kept piling up in her mind until suddenly, “Kayla?” Her mother’s voice snapped her back to reality. She looked up and realized her mother had already picked up the phone. “Are you alright?” her mother asked worriedly. Kayla quickly stood up and took the phone from her hands. Only then did she realize who was calling.

Her manager.

Not Roland.

Kayla secretly let out a breath of relief. “Hello?” she answered nervously. “Kayla, where are you?” her manager asked quickly. “The CEO requested a meeting with everyone on your floor. You need to come back immediately.” Kayla’s fingers tightened around the phone. “The CEO?”

“Yes,” her manager replied impatiently. “And make sure you come.” Before Kayla could ask more questions, the call ended. Fear slowly settled back into her chest. She explained the situation to her mother before grabbing her resignation letter. “I’ll give this to my manager before I leave,” she said softly. Her mother looked worried but nodded. “Be careful.” Kayla forced a smile before leaving the house.

The moment she arrived at the company building, Kayla’s steps slowed. Then suddenly, she saw him.

Roland Qin.

He was standing near the elevators with the same mysterious woman who had taken the coffee from her yesterday. Tia. The moment Kayla’s eyes landed on Roland, her entire body stiffened. Even from a distance, fear crawled beneath her skin. Her fingers instinctively tightened around the resignation letter in her hand.

Don’t look at me.

Please… don’t notice me.

Lowering her head quickly, she slipped into the crowd of employees entering the building and hurried toward another elevator.

Meanwhile…

Roland had been restless all morning. No matter what he did, the same disturbing images kept appearing inside his head.

Blood.

A blurry face.

Someone crying.

Someone desperately calling his name. Every time the memory appeared, his headache worsened. The office door suddenly opened without knocking.

Again.

“Tia,” Roland said coldly without looking up from his desk, "One day I’m seriously going to throw you out.” Tia ignored him completely. “Grandpa wants to see you,” she said casually before suddenly pausing. Sweat covered Roland’s forehead. His complexion looked pale again. Her teasing expression faded immediately. “Your headache again?” Roland rubbed his temple tiredly. “I’m fine.”

“You always say that,” Tia muttered quietly.

Ignoring her concern, Roland grabbed his coat and headed downstairs with Tia following closely behind him, talking nonstop in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere. But the moment they stepped into the lobby, Roland suddenly stopped walking. His brows slowly furrowed. Someone had just passed him. A strange feeling hit him instantly.

Familiar.

Painfully familiar.

His chest tightened for reasons he couldn’t understand. Then he looked up just in time to see the elevator doors closing. Inside the elevator, Kayla kept her head lowered while desperately trying to steady her breathing.

Please leave…

Please don’t come here…

Then

“Stop that elevator.”

Roland’s cold voice echoed across the lobby. Kayla’s eyes widened instantly. The elevator jerked before slowly descending back down. Her heartbeat pounded violently inside her chest.

No.

No no no.

The elevator doors slowly slid open. The air suddenly felt suffocating. Roland stepped inside calmly. Tia followed behind him curiously, glancing around the crowded elevator. Kayla lowered her head even more, gripping the resignation letter so tightly that the paper crumpled slightly in her hands. Then Roland stopped directly in front of her. For a moment, the entire elevator became silent. Kayla could feel his presence standing dangerously close. Her breathing became uneven. Slowly, she lifted her eyes slightly. Only to meet Roland’s dark gaze already fixed on her. Then quietly, "What's your name?”