Sebastian gripped Simon’s shoulder, steadying him, though worry gnawed at his own chest.
“I’m sorry… it’s all because of me…”
Simon’s voice cracked. Tears spilled as guilt consumed him. He had promised Molly he would take her to meet his mother, that they would begin planning their wedding. And now everything had been shattered—destroyed by his vile father.
Sebastian exhaled slowly. “None of us wanted this to happen. But your father—”
“Don’t say his name.”
Simon dropped to his haunches, clutching his head as grief and rage twisted his features.
For more than twenty years, he and his sister and mother had lived through misery because of that man. Landon. Pig. Dog. Monster.
Now he was dead. And good riddance.
Simon felt no sorrow, only bitter satisfaction. If that ja
“Don’t lose hope. My sister will be fine.”Sebastian gripped Simon’s shoulder, steadying him, though worry gnawed at his own chest.“I’m sorry… it’s all because of me…”Simon’s voice cracked. Tears spilled as guilt consumed him. He had promised Molly he would take her to meet his mother, that they would begin planning their wedding. And now everything had been shattered—destroyed by his vile father.Sebastian exhaled slowly. “None of us wanted this to happen. But your father—”“Don’t say his name.”Simon dropped to his haunches, clutching his head as grief and rage twisted his features.For more than twenty years, he and his sister and mother had lived through misery because of that man. Landon. Pig. Dog. Monster.Now he was dead. And good riddance.Simon felt no sorrow, only bitter satisfaction. If that ja
The beast of a man who had once been Simon’s father was at that very moment kicking and punching his defenseless mother.Rebecca’s face was covered in blood, her body curled into a ball on the floor. She had no strength to fight back, only the broken cries of someone in unbearable pain.Simon’s fury exploded. He charged forward, driving his foot hard into Landon and knocking him away from his mother.“You bastard!”Rage consumed him. Every strike he threw at his father was fueled by the sight of his mother’s suffering.Father and son wrestled violently, crashing into furniture, leaving the room in ruins.“Mom…”Wendy ran to Rebecca, sobbing as she lifted her up. Blood streamed from a gash on her forehead.Caitlin was shaken and furious. She had never imagined Landon could be so depraved, storming into his ex-wife’s home in broad daylight and beating her bloody.
“So it’s meeting the parents, huh? Alright then. First you’ll need a gift.”“Right, right. But it’s my first time meeting her mother. What should I bring?”Molly had no experience with this and wanted Caitlin’s advice.“Rebecca raised two kids on her own. She’s thrifty and practical. If you give her something too expensive, it might not win her favor.”“You’re right.”“Better if it’s something meaningful you made yourself.”“I could… but what should I make?”“As far as I know, Rebecca was once a ballet dancer. Why don’t we start from there?”Molly looked embarrassed. “Ballet? You mean I should perform for her? No way, I can’t dance!”“I’m not asking you to dance. Here’s what I mean…”With Caitlin’s coaching, Molly fin
Outside the prison, Sebastian waited until Caitlin came out. He stepped forward and asked, “How was it? Did he talk?”“Not yet. Let’s just go back first.”Caitlin got into the car, and Sebastian drove them away.On the way back, Sebastian said, “You’re being too gentle. For someone like him, who’s killed so many, the only way is to fight fire with fire. If it were up to me, I’d bring his sister here to the US. Only if he sees her in danger with his own eyes will he compromise.”“I’ve thought about that. But Ida’s health isn’t good enough for long-distance transfer. She needs treatment as soon as possible. As for the grudge between me and Black Hawk, his sister isn’t the one to bear it.”Caitlin remembered the pained look on Black Hawk’s face as he covered himself, and she wanted to gamble on one last chance. “I think we can wait a few m
Caitlin studied Black Hawk’s face, cold and sharp as a blade. His composure was terrifying—no flicker, no weakness, not even the faintest twitch. His control was flawless.“Why ask me?”The realization struck him like ice water: she had begun to suspect. This woman was dangerous. She wanted to use Ida to pry open his defenses—he could not afford to take the bait.Caitlin’s smile faded. Her voice cut sharper. “Why do you think I asked? You really believe I came here to chat for fun? I already know the truth. Ida is your sister. You’re her brother, aren’t you?”His fingers dug into his palms, his stare fixed and hard on her.Caitlin pulled a faded photograph from her folder, sliding it against the glass. “Your sister’s picture. She’s only a child in it, and her brother was barely a teenager, but the resemblance is there. The eyes don’t lie. Without this photogra
Hayden’s lips were a breath away from Jillian’s when he noticed her wide, startled eyes, like a frightened little doe. He pulled back at the last second, his voice steady.“We’re here. Time to get out.”He stepped out first. Jillian’s body slackened, but her heart still thudded wildly.He didn’t kiss her.Why?A small, secret part of her had been hoping he would. Now the missed kiss left a faint, inexplicable ache in her chest. Did this mean he didn’t like her?She followed him into the estate, eyes widening at the sight of the low-key yet extravagant manor. “This… is The Fixer’s home?”“Mm.”Hayden led her inside. Jillian’s pulse raced faster. For a man to invite a woman into his most private space—didn’t that mean she was different from the others?He arranged a guest room for her. That night Jillian tossed and