Chapter 269
Chapter 269
Kieran folded his arms. “I don’t need chaos p>
“You need disruption,” Felicity countered. “People don’t abandon a comforting narrative unless they’re forced to p>
Rowan interjected sharply, “You’re overstepping p>
Felicity didn’t even look at him. Her attention was fixed entirely on Kieran.
“We want the same thing,” she said. “Nolan and Ellie broken up. Her, available for you. Him, free of her influence p>
Kieran’s jaw tightened. “Ellie is not a prize p>
Felicity laughed. “Please. You of all people know this is about appearance. You know who she is, what she is. Her goddess visions will give you all the power you want p>
The words echoed too closely to thoughts Kieran hadn’t admitted aloud.
“And what exactly are you proposing?” he asked cautiously.
Felicity stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Pressure. Something that reminds people what’s really at stake. What Nolan is capable of when he’s threatened p>
Kieran’s eyes narrowed. “Be specific p>
Her smile sharpened into something ugly.
“Families are powerful symbols,” she said. “And symbols can be… damaged p>
The air in the room went cold.
Rowan spun toward her. “Absolutely not p>
Kieran’s reaction was immediate and visceral.
“Stop,” he snapped, stepping back as if she’d struck him. “Don’t finish that sentence p>
The tension in the room doubled in an instant. Kieran couldn’t believe what was happening. He’d drawn this line before. Made it clear that the kids were off limits. Felicity said she agreed, said that she’d never hurt Nolan by hurting his children.
But the look on her face right now said that line no longer mattered to her. It made Kieran’s blood go cold.
Felicity tilted her head, eyes bright. “You said you wanted to win p>
“Not like that,” Kieran said, fury erupting. “Do you hear yourself p>
“They’re his weakness,” she pressed. “You break that image, and the whole narrative collapses p>
“You’re talking about children,” Kieran roared. “You’re talking about hurting children p>
Her expression flickered-not remorse, but irritation.
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“Don’t be dramatic,” she said. “I didn’t say ‘
“I don’t care what you didn’t say,” he cut in. “The fact that it even crossed your mind p>
He pointed toward the door. “Get out p>
Felicity stared at him in disbelief. “You can’t be serious p>
“I’m very serious,” Kieran said, voice shaking with rage. “You’re a monster p>
The word landed like a slap.
Her face hardened instantly. “You’re a hypocrite p>
“I won’t win by becoming something worse than him,” Kieran shot back. “I won’t cross that line p>
She laughed, sharp and bitter. “You already have. You just like pretending there’s still a moral high ground p>
Rowan moved between them. “This conversation is over p>
Felicity’s gaze flicked to him, then back to Kieran. “You think kicking me out makes you clean p>
“I think it makes me better than you,” Kieran said coldly.
Her smile vanished.
“Fine,” she said quietly. “Protect your conscience. Protect your precious image p>
She stepped back toward the door, then paused.
“But don’t mistake this for surrender,” Felicity added. “You might not be willing to do what’s necessary.” Her eyes gleamed. “I am p>
She left without another word, the door slamming behind her hard enough to rattle the walls.
Silence followed-thick and suffocating.
Kieran stood there, chest heaving, hands trembling with residual fury.
Rowan exhaled slowly. “She’s dangerous p>
“I know,” Kieran said, “I misjudged how far she’d go p>
Rowan studied him carefully. “And you p>
Kieran didn’t answer right away,
His thoughts were a storm-Ellie’s face, Nolan’s hand on her back, the children laughing in the open. The polls. The inevitability slipping through his fingers.
“I won’t hurt them,” he said finally, “No matter what p>
Rowan nodded once. “Good. Because if this becomes a war without limits, no one wins p>
Kieran sank into his chair, staring at the ruined tablet on his desk.
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He had lost control of the narrative.
And worse-he had underestimated the depth of his own obsession.
Across the city, in a dimly lit apartment filled with glowing screens, Felicity watched
the same images on repeat.
Nolan smiling. Ellie radiant. The boys safe, cherished, adored.
Her hands curled into fists.
This farce couldn’t continue.
If Kieran lacked the will to tear it down, then she would act alone.
Whatever it took.
Because some things were too precious to let go.
And some victories were worth any cost.
Nolan had made her a promise, and she would be damned if she was going to let
him break it for a rogue bitch like Ellie.
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