and followed Vincent through t

ood arranged with military precision, each

nie, they bowed in perfect unison and

through the grounds wit

rd, Melanie instinctively

ial residence, she had never been welc

tern and imposing. What unsettled her most was the u

ever his identity was, it was clea

shoulder. "There's nothing to fear. They're here for your saf

st a sharp glance

ly replaced their intimidating expressi

ied footsteps echoed

woman rushing toward her, with a distinguis

cades younger than her age. Her delicate featu

opped abruptly, tears flooding her eyes w

econds and wrapped Melanie in a desperate embrac

th emotion. "After you vanished, I searched every corner of Auloxia. People told me to stop hoping. They said y

, enveloped by the warmt

yes began

like to be loved so

for her, but she had always been quie

to her openly, crying

ep voice calm but strained with emotion. "A

r tears. "You're right, you're right... Melly, don't be n

ont of Melanie and lo

-regret, sorrow, relief, and the immeasurab

quietly, his voice rough with feeling. "Exac

prompted gent

ie's shoulder. "Welcome home. As long as I am here,

her and noticed the redness lingering arou

ove a whisper, yet they

efore tears overf

another embrace, sobbing

rned his face aside and di

, watching the scene with quiet

ster had fina

.

unlike anything Melanie

id constantly urged Melanie to eat, enthusiastically placing d

le. Though he spoke very little, his at

photo of the family gathered together and sent it

t exploded alm

ncent, are you serious? You brought

This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. We

his is incredible. I can't wai

d the reunion, excitement overwhelmed everything else.

told her about all of you. Once you're

personally showed Mela

ories high above ground, while two additional levels stretched beneath it, containi

nding paths leading to a pristine artificial lake where

lanie said af

ea

o?" Melanie finally voiced the

plified explanation of the family's holdings. By the tim

nt flickering in his eyes. "My own lin

kind o

eached into his pocket and produced a metal

nized the symbol, her ey

od

s unusually young, dangerously unpredictable, and ruthless

king almost impossibly harmless de

scare you?"

d without hesitation.

placed the sharpnes

and guided her forward. "And because I'm your br

n the Pr

ent touching the corners of his eye

room, Melanie checked her phone and discovered

one had com

open them to gues

nds and accusations wo

nship? Had she betrayed him? She should

idicu

age, Shawn had never once taken

a burning fever in the presidential residence,

he seemed unable

ngle message, Melani

ise disappeared

n a completely new