Her heels clicked against the cold concrete floor of the detention center as she walked slowly, every step b

he cell with a dull clank and stepp

any's voice, she looked up. For a moment, they just stared at each other. The silence between them

any called sof

ushing off her skirt. "Fate is

urrowed h

even live to see the next spring, thinking that such case can't happen to me," Sheryl continued. "And now l

ngers. "Why didn't you let Alexander adopt you into the Wolfe family? He proposed it months ago. If you had

t was haunting. She stepped forward, rested a hand gently atop Bethany's head. "Everythin

e hum of silence vibrating with unspoken a

er and Mia about... wh

t Alexander burning down someone's empire

, genuine this time.

efore huffing. "Let's get you out o

th exited the station. However, they

streets of Belgrade, she side-eyed her companion. "How did the case get w

atter. All that matters is that I am going to make a strong comeback. And those

a long glance b

lly to her. "Can you

ked. "Your f

t to tell him. Besides, I nee

ny ch

led on the outskirts of the city. As soon as the car stopped, Sheryl got out. Sh

r stood by the tall window, tending to hi

for dinner yesterday.

than she expected. She couldn't tell him abo

"I know I'm not the father you can be proud of. But I would

forward and hugged him. "If I had another chance, I'd be th

he said, hugging her tightl

leaving Serbia. I need to explore the world. F

ed to his butler. A moment later, her p

dited with an amount she coul

stunned. "Dad

he smiled. "You're making me f

ou." She hugged him. Disengaging from the hug, s

chuckled,

ethany had brought for her. Smiling at her dad one last time, she turne

the car, and they drove

e terrace enjoying coffee when she sa

virtual meeting. Celeste lay curled near hi

her gaze and nodd

e. Pastries, eggs, and fresh fruit lay

ew minutes-about weather,

, "So, how did

Sheryl was the one who

ent w

ontinued, "But that doesn't matter. I came to te

like a slap ac

inked.

asped, "T

jaw tightene

cause I need to find something I lost b

The silence was heavy again-but this time, it

"You always told me I was made for m

aping softly. He crossed to he

ything, call me

would have thought her step b

get use

hugged her tightly.

earning a chuckle from Sheryl. "Do

Beth

"And you expect me to believe that

, will ya?" Sheryl smiled as

hany asked, "When

'll be back more str