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 his fault!” Bennett, a usually composed soldier, was on the verge of

He handed Bennett a tissue, “Maybe it’s for the best. Pregnancy is tough; kids are a handful, and it’s one more worry. Let’s just let Evadne live carefree like a child. We’li protect her, and she’ll

door banged open.

a

burst in, panic–stricken, “Ms.

jumped to their feet in disbelief, “Gone?

out the

the curtains flapping wildly in the storm.

does a person just vanish into thin air?!” Arnold covered

clothes and belongings tossed about, and instantly headed for

1/3

was a makeshift rope of knotted dresses, hanging down to the ground below.

girl! She’s quietly courting

the worst, his heart pounding, head throbbing, “If any part of that makeshift rope had snapped, she’d be

working well!” Arnold pressed a hand to his

to

about this?” Cassius asked

already troubled over Ms. Nydia Ashbourne; I

keep it quiet for now. Dad’s

fists against his racing heart, “Don’t alarm anyone else. We’ll organize

this storm raging, and Ms. Ashbourne without a phone or money, what will she do out

my fault! I should have

far. We should be able to catch up

It’s been a while!” Dylan

string of expletives, “Damn it! That rat Thaddeus picked the worst

he’d been with his little

she’s headed towards Elmsworth for sure. We’ll find her if we search

already on his feet, heading for the door, barking orders at Arnold, “Call Elvis, tell him to haul his ass back here and

wild card Elvis, he’s always got a trick up

of night, brilliant forks of lightning tore across the sky, followed by the relentless drumming

wind lashing against her slender frame,

chattering.

she had no money, and she’d lost her flip–flops in the chaos of her escape. Her delicate feet were caked in mud and scratched

hardships could not deter her will to break free, nor could it slow her steps towards the

sought.

was to love someone properly. Why, even

their capabilities, would surely commence a sweeping search, turning the world upside down to find

secluded, less–traveled paths towards

for too long, Evadne was feeling dizzy and alternately hot and cold, her strength failing

her bleary eyes caught sight of two dim lights in the distance. With renewed vigor, she ran towards the light, only to discover a repair shop that hadn’t

couldn’t stand the cold any longer. Without a second thought, she pushed the

laughing and cursing

Evadne and their eyes lit up, nearly popping

the midst of thunder and rain, a beauty had come knocking? This was a feast landing right in their

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

Comments ()

0/255