Bedmates Soulmates

1/E

Last Warning

Glana whirled around. 'What? But didn't you ask me to

"All I did was ask you to approach."

Glana replayed his words from a minute ago.

Indeed, he didn't say anything about an apology.

Both she and Kira had misunderstood.

She looked at Kira, who was just as lost.

"Kayleigh, Austyn said. 'Apologise to Miss Mills."

His tone made it clear that it was an order, not a suggestion.

It was Kayleigh's turn to be confused.

She pointed at herself. 'What? Who? Me?"

Austyn nodded.noveldrama

'You want ME to apologise to HER? she raised her voice. What was happening?

How could Austyn ask her to apologise to that woman?

Didn't he know that woman was Hewitt's accomplice?

"I thought I made myself perfectly clear,' Austyn said.

"But why?" Kayleigh's body was shaking with rage. I'm not apologising to her! She hit me! She should apologise to me!"

'So you won't do it?"

'No, I won't!

'Okay.' Austyn gave a slight nod.

He looked to the open doorway. "Adrian, get in here."

The lawyer trotted into the room and bowed. "Yes, Mr McCarthy."

"What are the penalties for assault and battery as well as attempted murder? Tell Miss Woods here the maximum sentence for each crime."

'Um, it depends. The court will need to look at all the evidence and take into account any witness testimony.'

There's footage of the entire incident for evidence," Austyn said. 'As for witnesses, Miss Woods has a bodyguard who was on the scene. And I'm sure Miss Mills here will be happy to testify. Are these enough for a conviction?" Kayleigh's legs turned to jelly.

She would have slid onto the floor if she wasn't standing against a wall.

What was Austyn talking about?

Was she dreaming?

Last Wameng

He said he'd get justice for her.

Why was he talking about sending her to prison?

The lawyer was just as taken aback. "Uh, I, um..."

'It's a simple question, Austyn scowled. 'Didn't you have to memorise Criminal Law for the bar exam? How did you get the license to practise law?'

Adrian rushed to supply the answer. 'According to Article 134, Section 4 of Criminal Law, whoever intentionally inflicts bodily injury upon another person shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years or criminal detention. As for attempted murder, it's at least ten years..."

Kayleigh heard every word but comprehended none of t

Black dots swam in front of her eyes.

She blinked and looked at Austyn.

His face was granite.

So that was why he brought her here.

He was seeking justice all right, just not justice for her.

The apology he made Hewitt give was the carrot before the stick.

No, not a stick.

A bludgeon.

It hit Kayleigh over the head so hard that she couldn't think.

How could he do this to her?

She shoved aside the gabbling lawyer and stomped up to Austyn. "Why are you doing this to me?'

Austyn spared her a glance. 'You're not happy with how I handle this?'

'Of course I'm not!

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

She might not be a good actress, but she'd mastered the art of crying on command.

Tears were a useful weapon, especially in front of a man like Austyn.

I'm the victim here,' she sobbed plaintively. 'I was willing to let the whole thing apologised to me. Why are you forcing me to say sorry instead?

o if they'd just

'Didn't you hear what I said to Adrian? Austyn said in a passionless vojce. The police have obtained footage of the incident. You and your bodyguard attacked Kira and her friend. Everything you did-every slap, every kick-was captured on tape. Your bodyguard was your accomplice. You would've killed Miss Mills. The brick was thrown in self-defence. Need I go on?" Kayleigh's eyes were wide with shock.

The lawyer never told her there was a tape!

How could there be a tape?

She'd chosen the place carefully.

She knew it was the rough part of town, with unsavoury characters prowling the streets.

There were no shops or houses within a mile.

Traffic lights nearby had been vandalised and remained unfixed.

Where did the tape come from?

The memory of Friday night came flooding back to her,

She had been enraged when Hewitt tore her dress,

The woman chased her out of the car and would have given her a good beating if Frank hadn't intervened

In time.

Kayleigh did slap her, multiple times.

And then there was that friend of Hewitt's.

Kayleigh recalled stomping on that woman, who had the nerve to strike her face.

Austyn must have gotten his hands on the tape and seen everything she did.

Kayleigh opened her mouth, but there was nothing she could say in her defence. Austyn barked, "Kayleigh Woods!"

Kayleigh jumped.

She knew this was his last warning.

Hurt by what she saw as a betrayal, she had to hide her resentment and swallow her pride.

With heavy steps, she dragged herself to the two women. 'It was my fault. I shouldn't have hit you. I hope you can forgive me."

Every word was a slap on her own face.

Giana snorted. 'Miss Woods, I didn't hear the word "sorry."

Kayleigh gritted her teeth. I'm sorry. I got carried away!

Giana rolled her eyes and didn't reply.

The actress could offer an apology, insincere as it was, but Giana didn't have to accept it.

Kayleigh turned around to leave.

She'd suffered enough humiliation for the day.

'Wait.' Austyn stopped her.

She wanted to just keep on walking, but she dared not,

"You'll compensate Miss Mills for her medical and hospitalisation bills, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering. If Miss Mills does not receive a cheque by five pm tomorrow, a summons will be served to you."

His words dealt a final crushing blow to the actress.

Kayleigh dug her nails into her thighs to prevent herself from screaming.

She dashed through the door before she had a complete meltdown.

The lawyer took the opportunity to slip away as well.

Silence returned to the ward.

Austyn turned around, walking towards Kira in measured steps. Last Warnala

Kira heard her own heartbeat. She swallowed, suddenly nervous.