Chapter 45: Calista’s Grief.
Kyle spent some time with Jane, but he couldn’t stay there for too long since it was her workplace. He knew he had to leave soon before he caused her any trouble. Buying everyone a phone might have been a little overboard, but Kyle had a point to prove. A sort of unspoken contest, if you will—but in the end, Kyle emerged victorious as Mike was effectively put in his place.
Mike didn’t like Kyle, but Kyle didn’t care. After all, Mike couldn’t make any meaningful contribution to Kyle’s life. This was the perfect scenario, but Kyle knew it was time to go. Before leaving, he planted a gentle kiss on Jane’s forehead. It was a small act, but it marked her as his, making it clear to everyone in the store that Jane was spoken for.
Kyle had a keen eye for recognizing the look of a man interested in a woman, and Mike had those eyes. The kiss wasn’t just for Jane—it was also a warning to Mike to stay away. Kyle trusted Jane enough not to entertain another man, but he wasn’t taking any chances.
Unlike with Calista.
The moment Kyle left the shop and got into his car, his phone began to ring. He glanced at the screen and answered. On the other end, he heard Calista sobbing profusely.
"What’s wrong?" Kyle asked, though a feeling of irritation stirred in his chest.
As Calista narrated what had happened, Kyle couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Lucas had wasted no time in trying to bed her. More surprisingly, Calista had turned him down.
Why?
This would’ve been the right move for her career, and Kyle knew it. But her warped sense of loyalty to him had gotten in the way. Kyle didn’t believe for a second that she’d refused Lucas out of some moral compass.
"Huh? He tried to sleep with you?" Kyle asked, more surprised than angry.
Calista, however, misunderstood his tone. She assumed his surprise was rage. What she didn’t realize was that Kyle naturally wouldn’t want anyone using the "hole" he reserved for himself—it would turn him off completely. This was why he had been so meticulous about "taming" Calista before even considering intimacy with her.
"Where are you right now?" Kyle asked, but Calista’s sobs drowned out her response.
She was crying, worried she might have lost the role. Kyle, however, was unaffected. He didn’t care about the role or what it meant for her career. What mattered to him was maintaining control over her.
The call ended, but Kyle’s thoughts lingered. This would take time, but it was exactly what he wanted.
The best way to hurt someone is to make them believe you’re the last person who ever would.
Kyle knew the obvious next step would be to comfort her, but that wasn’t the best move. Instead, he wanted Calista to sit with the realization of how alone she was. He knew she had no real friends or anyone who truly had her back. If she did, she wouldn’t be living this way.
This was a deliberate manipulation tactic. By isolating her emotionally, Kyle could make her cling to him even more. He’d be the only constant in her life—the only person she could rely on. Hyper-dependency, Kyle understood, was nearly impossible to break free from once it took root.
When that dependency solidified, Kyle could mold her however he pleased. He could break her down and rebuild her, ensuring she remained bound to him until she was entirely used up. Only then would he toss her aside.
But for now, Calista still had her uses.
If he let her go too soon, she could still heal and marry some sucker who’d take care of her financially. She was beautiful, and men loved trophy wives or mistresses.
Kyle had no intention of allowing that to happen. If he could rob her of her prime years, it would make for a much bleaker future. Men always sought after younger women, after all.
For now, though, she could still serve him well. Calista’s beauty and skills in the bedroom kept him satisfied, allowing him to focus on cultivating a more meaningful, non-sexual relationship with Jane. Jane might believe he was only interested in her body, and Kyle didn’t want to risk that. This dynamic worked in his favor, and there was nothing to lose.
Just as Kyle was about to put his phone away, it rang again. This time, the caller was James.
"Hm... What does he want now?" Kyle wondered. The permits usually took time to process, so he wasn’t expecting any updates this soon. " He had better not be asking for more money..."
Kyle sighed before answering.
"Hello?" he said.
[[Hello, Mr. Kyle?]] James began, his tone excited.
"What’s up, James? How’s it going?" Kyle replied, even though he wished James would get straight to the point.
[[I have great news! I’ve acquired the permit!]] James announced proudly.
Kyle immediately felt skeptical. Was this some sort of scam? Could James have conjured up fake permits?
"Is that so?" Kyle asked, rolling his eyes. He couldn’t believe he had trusted James. He could’ve handled this himself and saved the hassle.
[[That’s right! I have the documents with me. When you’ve been in this business as long as I have, you build some great connections!]] James exclaimed.
Kyle wasn’t convinced. First impressions mattered, and James’s shabby attire didn’t exactly give him a professional image.
"Send me your location and I’ll come to you," Kyle instructed. He’d come this far, so he might as well see it through.
As the call ended, Kyle leaned back in his seat, reflecting on the day. He’d done more today than in the past several days combined. It might even seem like he had a social life—but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Kyle knew he was smarter now, more perceptive than he had been just a few days ago. The skills he’d acquired were changing him.
