ut of the car at 5 a.m., her breath fogging in the crisp morn

middle-aged officer looked h

, that

r through the narrow hallway

and solid evidence. No one was seriously hurt, but his actions are inexcu

s today just don't discipline their kids properly. But when th

made her pulse quicken. "Officer, there must be some mistake. My brother has

with a quiet demeanor and gentle eye

cameras caught everything. And

g man sitting inside. "He won't tell us why he did it. Maybe you can talk some sense into him

side, but before she could step in, the clatteri

s appeared, flanke

ress charges, you'll need to

throat when she saw Julian an

, and a ringing sou

hem. "That one in white," he muttered, nodding at

looked thoroughly displeased, irri

black, watched on indifferently, ha

other cold and distant, stood out like wolves am

ndering why the young man had

tha

on her, and he strode forwar

once felt for her had tu

h they might've been pulled off the pages of a fa

air. "What, did you want your brother to kill me? Too bad that kid's just a weaklin

at if Leland hadn't stepped in today, S

herself for this moment. Even so, h

. Even if she hadn't been fond of him in the beginning,

he same way. But it was a

ith and discard at will. If she ever dared to push back, he

ging in the balance, she knew Ju

voice trembled as she fought back the bitterness rising in her

s curled into a mocking smirk. "You didn't listen w

many pursuers; if he hadn't helped her ba

r figure. He liked that great figure of hers. His lips curled

e two of them, understanding dawning on his fa

ng man, impulsive and protective, had tried to defend

e situatio

when they stemmed from romantic entan

. If Mr. Wells decides to press charges, his whole life could be ruined. Ar

ged arm a dramatic shake. "You know what I want, Bethan

ing with a mix of fury and despa

he snapped, voice shaking with barely restrained anger. "Keep pretend

l and stormed off, leaving th

ke her. Tears welled up, blurring her

seen Julian as her s

he walked past. He didn't spare her a glance, and she didn't bot

slap reverberated thr

window, gaze drawn

aised from the strike. Then, as if drained of all strength, she collap

s fell. Her eyes were aggrie