Chapter 44

Makenna’s POV.

Three days later…

I sat in my room, staring blankly at my laptop screen. The cursor blinked tauntingly, a constant reminder of my inability to write anything coherent. My mind was a storm of emotions, and the chaos made it impossible to focus.

I tried to take a deep breath, but it felt like my chest was bound by invisible chains, each breath shallow and unsatisfying. The argument with my family replayed in my mind, their accusatory voices echoing in my head. My father's furious face, my mother's disappointment, Kenzie's betrayal—it was all too much.

My fingers hovered over the keyboard, but no words came. I had always found solace in writing, a way to escape reality and delve into the worlds of my creation. But now, even that refuge denied me.

I glanced around my room, seeking some sort of distraction. The soft hum of the air conditioner, the gentle rustling of the curtains as a breeze drifted through the open window, even the distant sounds of the city—all felt like a mocking serenade to my misery.

I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the frustration build. How could my family think so little of me? How could they believe I was sleeping around for money? The sting of their words still burned, each accusation like a dagger to my heart.

My thoughts drifted to Wolfe. Our conversation a few days ago had left me more confused than ever—especially with what Kenzie had said about almost kissing him. I knew he cared about me, but the uncertainty of our relationship gnawed at me. Was I just another woman to him, another conquest on his list? Or did he truly care?

My phone had been ringing constantly, each chime feeling like a sharp jab. I had finally turned it off, unable to bear the incessant noise. I was afraid to check who was calling because if I saw Wolfe’s name on the caller ID, I knew I would answer. I would crumble, and I couldn’t afford that right now.

But curiosity had gotten the better of me earlier and I had checked my missed calls. Wolfe hadn’t called, which had made me feel worse than before I checked my phone. Yas had, though, several times. I sighed, closing my laptop in frustration. Writing was impossible. Not with my thoughts all over the place. I was about to crawl back into bed when the doorbell rang, a sharp, annoying intrusion.

Groaning, I dragged myself to the door and peered through the peephole. Yas stood on the other side, her expression a mixture of concern and determination. I reluctantly opened the door and stepped aside to let her in, hoping she wouldn’t stay long.

“Hey,” I muttered.

“You look like you’ve been hiding under a rock,” Yas walked in and immediately blocked my path as I tried to head back to my room. “No way, Kenna. You’re not disappearing on me again,” she said firmly. “You’re going to sit down and tell me what’s going on.”

I sighed, knowing there was no escape. Silently, I sat down on the couch, and Yas joined me, her eyes filled with concern. “I’ve been calling you for two days,” she said, her tone a mix of worry and frustration. “You haven’t answered or texted back. What’s wrong?”

I stared at my hands, the memory of that night still raw. “It’s a long story, Yas.”

“I’ve got time,” she said, crossing her arms. “Start talking.”

“My mother sent me a weird-looking message, inviting me to a family dinner.” Taking a deep breath, I began to recount the nightmare of the family dinner. “Everything was great. I almost thought the dinner would go on without all the usual drama. Turns out Kenzie overheard a conversation between Wolfe and me,” I explained. “She'd actually told my parents before I arrived, and the dinner was just a ruse to probably ‘bring me to order’.”

Yas listened intently, her expression shifting from concern to shock as I continued. “They kept ignoring me, talking about me like I wasn’t even there.”

“Oh my God, Kenna. I'm so sorry, love.” Yas breathed, her eyes wide. “What did they say?”

“Dad said some really hurtful things, and I felt so stupid, Yas,” My throat tightened as I remembered the accusations. “They think I’m sleeping around for money,” I said bitterly. “They don’t understand anything about my life. They didn't even ask if it was true.”

Yas’s eyes flashed with anger. “That’s ridiculous! How could they say that?”

“It gets worse,” I continued, my voice trembling. “Kenzie told me she almost kissed Wolfe at a club. She said she didn’t want me to get hurt, but it felt like she was just trying to ruin everything for me.”

Yas’s jaw dropped. “She what?! Are you serious?”

I nodded, feeling the tears well up again. “I don’t know what to think, Yas. Wolfe didn’t call me once after that dinner. Not once.”

“I’m so sorry, Kenna. You don’t deserve this.” Yas reached out, squeezing my hand. “But you need to talk to Wolfe. Maybe there’s more to it than what Kenzie said.”

“I don’t know if I can,” I admitted, wiping away a tear. “Besides, he has every right to kiss whoever he wants to. It's not like we were in a relationship. But with my sister? That's low, Yas.”

Yas shook her head, her expression fierce. “Kenna, don’t you think there's a possibility that Mackenzie was lying? You know how she can be.”

I sighed, feeling the weight of Yas’s words. “I don’t know, Yas. Kenzie has no reason to lie about this. She’s always been honest with me, even when it hurts.”

“But you'd never know for sure until you speak to Wolfe,” Yas insisted. “You need to hear his side of the story. He deserves that chance, don’t you think?”

I nodded, my mind swirling with doubt and frustration. “I'm not sure if I want to continue the arrangement with Wolfe. But I signed a contract, and I can't just back out. The only option is to keep it strictly professional, no more sex. It was mostly beneficial to me anyway.”

Yas leaned closer, her voice gentle. “Before you make any decisions, you need to talk to Wolfe. Get the facts straight. And for now, you need a break from all this stress. Come with me tonight.”

“Where to?” I asked, already dreading the answer.

“We're going clubbing,” Yas said with a determined grin. “You need to get out of this funk and have some fun. Enough of this moping.”

“I don't know, Yas,” I hesitated. “I just want to stay in my bed.”

“Trust me, Kenna. This is what you need. You can’t just shut yourself off from the world. A night out, some dancing, and a few drinks. It'll help clear your mind.”

I reluctantly agreed, knowing Yas wouldn't take no for an answer. She always knew how to lift my spirits, even when I resisted.

Yas stood up, pulling me along with her. “Go take a bath and get dressed. We're going to have a great time.”

I couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. “Alright, alright. But if you make me wear something ridiculous, I swear I'll never forgive you.”

Yas chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “No promises.”

As I headed to the bathroom, Yas called out, “And remember, no matter what happens, I've got your back.”

I paused, turning to look at her. “Thanks, Yas. I don't know what I'd do without you.”

She smiled warmly. “You'd do just fine, but it's better with me around, right?”

I laughed, feeling a bit lighter. “Yeah, it is.”

She was right but I was really not looking forward to confronting Wolfe. The thought of facing him and hearing his side of the story filled me with both hope and dread.

Whatever happened, I had to find out if what Kenzie said was true. Even if it shattered me all over again.

But for now, I just wanted to let loose and have the night of my life.