Chapter 23 The Lavish Coastal Escape Perspective

Kayla's POV

Lucas was a scheming bastard with ulterior motives for Alicia, but damn, the price was right. Mama needed a vacation.

He slapped that gilded resort invitation onto my rickety coffee table while I was drowning microwave popcorn in hot sauce. “What’s this?” I squinted, grease smudging the shirtless lifeguard photo on the brochure. “Bribing me with private beaches now?”

His tailored suit screamed, “I own your life savings,” cufflinks glinting like ice chips. “Alicia requires focused rehabilitation,” he said, brushing non-existent dust off his sleeve. “And you… need an environment less saturated with dollar-store perfume.”

I nearly dumped popcorn into his Prada lapel. Everyone knew he’d stashed Alicia in some gilded cage, but the brochure’s turquoise waves and champagne towers were irresistible—especially the lifeguard’s abs, chiseled sharper than my life goals.

“Deal.” I shoved the invite into my lipstick-stained tote. “But if Alicia loses a single eyelash…”