Chapter 489

Thaddeus stood stoically outside the gates of Silverlake Harbor, where he had been for more than a full day and night. He was stubborn as such, determined not to rest until he saw the woman he loved or got the answers he was after.

Last night, he had spied the Chambers father and son making a beeline for the harbor, clearly on the warpath about something involving Byron. Thaddeus had watched from the shadows, not out of fear, but to avoid causing a scene that might upset Jeff and bring trouble down on Chairman Ashbourne’s head.

It was one thing to deal with the aftermath for the Ashbourne family in private, but making a public spectacle of himself would be

unwise.

The evening was dark and stormy, fierce winds howling through the air, hitting him with a force that rivaled the punches he’d taken the night before.

Thaddeus’s deep–set eyes, shadowed and brooding, were framed by a chiseled jaw now rough with stubble. He looked every the rugged soldier he once was.

bit

Suddenly, his phone buzzed inside his car, pulling him momentarily from his pain. He opened the door and picked up the phone. It was Gordon.

“Gordon, what’s up?” His voice was hoarse, as if every ounce of energy had been drained from him.

“Mr. Thaddeus Abernathy! I finally got through to you!”

Gordon sounded like he was on the brink of tears, “Mr. Hamilton Abernathy has taken ill and been rushed to the hospital! You’ve got to come back!“.

A sharp pang shot through Thaddeus’s chest, and cold sweat soaked his already damp suit.

Meanwhile, in the wine cellar of Silverlake Harbor.

Evadne’s brothers were gathered, their usual banter replaced by somber silence and the dull glug of spirits being poured. Bennett, in particular, was knocking back whiskey like water, much to Arnold’s distress.

“Bennett, you can’t keep this up. It’s killing you,” Cassius took the glass from his hand.

“Seriously, man, you haven’t even tied the knot yet. Don’t drink yourself into an early grave,” Arnold added.

Bennett clenched his fist, slamming it on the table.

“You were too hard on Evadne today, too damn forceful.” Cassius patted Bennett’s shoulder with a gentle sigh, “You know how she is. She doesn’t respond well to pressure. The more you push, the more she’ll resist. You care her to bits, and you don’t want her to resent you, do you?”

“Cassius’s right. You haven’t had any row ever since you were young; this time it’s too much.”

“Then what do you suggest I do, just let her keep entangled with that jerk?” Bennett rubbed his face with both hands, his voice thick with emotion, “I’d take all the pain for her; I won’t grimace at any cut. Just can’t bear to see her suffer. That’s miscarriage! She could’ve been a mother, experienced that joy. But now,”

The thought of their unborn niece or nephew silenced them all, hearts twisted in grief.

all Thaddeus’s fault, all his fault!” Bennett, a usually composed soldier, was

it’s for the best. Pregnancy is tough; kids are a handful, and it’s one more worry. Let’s

the door banged

have a

burst in, panic–stricken, “Ms. Evadne Ashbourne’s gone!”

their feet in disbelief, “Gone? How

gone! Jumped out the window!”

the curtains flapping wildly in the storm. Their sister

just vanish into thin air?!” Arnold covered his head

and Bennett saw the chaos in the room, her clothes and belongings

1/3

makeshift rope of knotted dresses, hanging down to the ground below. “Cassius. She’s

That crazy girl! She’s

terror as he pictured the worst, his heart pounding, head throbbing, “If any part of that makeshift rope had snapped,

working well!” Arnold pressed a hand to

Ashbourne, you have to

about this?” Cassius asked

Nydia Ashbourne; I didn’t dare add to his worries.”

Dad’s health can’t take another blow.”

his racing heart, “Don’t alarm anyone else.

Ms. Ashbourne without a phone or money, what

I should have stayed right

why she won’t have gone far. We should be able to catch up with her.” Cassius peered out into the storm, “Is Thaddeus

been a while!” Dylan replied truthfully.

it! That rat Thaddeus picked the worst time to split! Little sis

his heart lurched ferociously. At this moment, he deeply regretted how harsh he’d been with his little sister. Everything was unfolding just as he

towards Elmsworth for sure. We’ll find her if we search along the

barking orders at Arnold, “Call Elvis, tell

card Elvis, he’s always

lightning tore across the

the cold wind lashing against her slender frame, causing her to shiver

chattering.

lost her flip–flops in the chaos of her escape. Her delicate feet were caked in mud and scratched by stones, a sight

to break free, nor could it slow her steps towards

sought.

to love someone properly. Why, even now,

their capabilities, would surely commence a sweeping search, turning the world

visit bustling places, opting instead for the secluded, less–traveled paths towards Elmsworth. But in this pitch–black, deserted place, not a single store was open!

the cold rain for too long, Evadne was feeling

renewed vigor, she ran towards the light, only to discover a

stand the cold any longer. Without a second thought, she

laughing and cursing over a game

at Evadne and their eyes lit up, nearly popping

the midst of thunder and rain, a

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255