a clear view beyond the ma

was slumped across the table, and a shado

ack surged to the surface. Her eyes filled with tears

apidly through her system. Her limbs felt he

ed Michael's presence might interfere with his scheme. Quick

mediately launched into a stream of polite

her eyes with a

enjoying d

teach my daughter a lesson. Lately she's

mile, Hayley secretly obse

mained fixed on the ro

ures, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

't my biological daughter. Naturally, s

gainst the overwhelming effects of

to draw Michael's attention before it was too late. But just as she managed to lift herself slight

xactly what Rick h

ch an unpleasant scene, Mr. Owen. I hope

.

as Michael turned away a

felt like another wound carved i

d see

tly well that

as trapped an

e to walk away, l

became convinced that

pled to the floor, overwhelmed by despair whil

e hand grabbed at the

uddered v

someone burst thr

. She felt herself being lifted from the floor,

eness remained, Noreen str

vertook her be

.

taurant, Michael continued his

his phone from Sean. "Mr. O

e screen, then calmly

unfolding exactly as planned. Smiling brightly, she poured a glass of

asses met with

arded her quietly before saying, "You seem quite f

Rick nearly mad

ut a denial. "Someone like him flatters anyo

or simply occupied els

omposure cracked. "Michael, wh

rose from his seat. His expression remained unreadable.

y in Hayley's chest. The color g

.

f feverish dreams, her body bur

rried by someone strong and steady. A familiar prese

inctively reached toward

whispered wea

icy water splas

Her eyes flew open, and she fo

ly on her, searching her fac

ree

e in his voice sent

unfocused. Instinctively, she

leaving her looking ex

pressed her beneath him, his thin lips brushing her full

ugh trembling breaths, "What's happe

ithout hesitation,

ing slowly resurfaced

helpless before him, she clench

ing laugh esc

a man right now. D

ael's low voice broke the silence. "Should I f