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

up in front of Evadne again.” Cassius’s voice rough with emotion. 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,

door banged

a problem!”

in, panic–stricken, “Ms.

their feet in disbelief, “Gone? How is

out the

to find the window wide open, the curtains flapping wildly in the storm. Their sister was

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

in the room, her clothes and belongings tossed about, and instantly headed for the

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rope of knotted dresses, hanging down to the ground below. “Cassius. She’s lost her mind! This is the fifth floor!” Bennett’s voice trembled with fear,

She’s quietly

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

My heart isn’t working well!” Arnold pressed a hand to

you have to be okay! I can’t live with myself

know about this?”

troubled over Ms. Nydia Ashbourne; I didn’t dare add to

for now. Dad’s health

clenched his fists against his racing heart, “Don’t alarm anyone

Ms. Ashbourne without a phone or money, what will

my fault! I should have stayed right outside her door!”

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

left already! It’s been a while!”

of expletives, “Damn it! That rat Thaddeus picked the worst time to split! Little sis must’ve gone looking for

deeply regretted how harsh he’d been with his

headed towards Elmsworth for sure.

“Call Elvis, tell him to haul his ass back

wild card Elvis,

across the sky, followed by the relentless drumming

wind lashing against her slender frame, causing her to shiver

chattering.

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

break free, nor could it slow her steps towards

sought.

love someone properly. Why, even now, was it

knew her family would soon realize she had fled, and her brothers, with their capabilities, would surely

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

for too long, Evadne was feeling dizzy and

With renewed vigor, she ran towards the light, only to

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

cursing over a game

One glance at Evadne

thunder and rain, a beauty had come knocking? This was

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