Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Before he even clicked on the link, Vincent’s breath nearly stopped. The figure on the cover, dressed like a princess, was someone he would recognize even in ashes–Kaylee. His hands trembled as he opened the article, his heart almost ceasing to beat.

Kaylee, it turned out, was the long–lost daughter of an Italian billionaire, separated from her parents in the U.S. many years ago and only recently reunited with them. She had already returned to Italy and was living with her family.

Vincent read through the entire article, his emotions in turmoil. Kaylee, just how much have you kept from me? Meanwhile, messages from Thiago kept coming: 

“Vincent, is this really Kaylee? Didn’t you say she was from a small town and her parents were just regular employees?”

“How could she possibly be connected to an Italian billionaire?

Vincent replied with only four words: “I don’t know either.” He sent no further messages.

All he knew was that Kaylee’s previous parents weren’t her biological ones, and her birth parents had always been a mystery. He hadn’t expected her to have found her real family long ago. No matter what, he needed to go to Italy to bring Kaylee back.

Grabbing the coat draped over the couch, he moved hastily to leave but paused when he noticed a pile of scattered photos under the table. He froze, bending down to pick them up. The pictures revealed things he hadn’t known–too many things.

Alina had secretly sent provocative messages and posted on Instagram to taunt Kaylee, and Vincent had been entirely unaware of it. Why didn’t she ever tell me? There was no time to search for answers. Grabbing his keys, he headed straight to the airport, purchasing the earliest available flight to Italy.

This time, I won’t let Kaylee leave me again. While waiting for his flight, he pieced together everything he now knew about Kaylee’s situation. Her adoptive parents had passed away, she sold their house, and she quietly went to Italy with her biological parents.

The most painful realization was that his ambiguous relationship with Alina had broken her heart. He considered calling Alina to confront her but dismissed the thought. It’s too late now–nothing I say will change what’s already happened.

Boom-

The plane landed at Italy’s international airport. Vincent disembarked and headed straight for the luxury villa district. Standing in front of a grand villa, he rang the doorbell, his emotions a mixture of nervousness and inner conflict.

He desperately hoped the one to open the door would be Kaylee, but he also feared facing her again. The doorbell chimed for three seconds before the door opened abruptly. A maid appeared, her eyes scanning Vincent with mild curiosity.

“Sir, may I ask who you’re looking for?”

Vincent responded politely, “My name is Vincent. Does Kaylee live here? I’m her class mate from the U.S., and I came here today to speak with her.”

The maid nodded, eyeing him for a moment before replying, “Very well, sir. Please wait a moment while I inform her.”

She gestured for him to enter, leading him through a long stretch of manicured lawn and a small garden before finally arriving in the luxurious living room.

Every corner of the house exuded understated elegance and wealth. After ten minutes, the maid returned, her tone polite yet firm.

“Apologies, sir, but Miss Kaylee says she doesn’t know you. Please leave.”

Vincent froze, instinctively rejecting the statement.

“That’s impossible! Let her come out and see me–I’m her boyfriend. She’ll recognize me!”

The maid maintained her professional demeanor, smiling faintly.

“Sir, Miss Kaylee does not wish to see you. Please leave.”

Behind her, a group of black–suited bodyguards loomed near the door, clearly prepared to escort him out if he refused to go willingly. Left with no choice, Vincent turned to leave. But as he passed a corner in the garden, he looked up and saw her–Kaylee, sitting on a distant bench.

It was the face he had longed to see day and night. Beside her stood an unfamiliar man. His restless heart finally settled, only to be replaced by a surge of fiery anger. Without hesitation, he strode toward them-