Love at First Novel by Gu Lingfei

Hank tried to convince himself that his pain stemmed from seeing how well Sonny got along with Duncan. Sonny was his biological son, yet from now on, he'd live with Duncan. There was even a chance that Sonny might start calling Duncan "Dad."

As these thoughts spiraled, Hank felt a wetness on his face.

Raising his hand to his cheek, he realized his palm was damp with tears.

He was crying.

But why?

Deep down, Hank knew the reason. He just couldn't bring himself to admit it—not out loud, not even to himself.

Unable to process his emotions, he slumped forward, resting his head on the steering wheel, and let the tears flow freely. He sobbed, releasing the torrent of regret and sorrow that had been building inside him.

Once the tears dried, Hank pulled himself together. He had made a plan for the day, and despite the turmoil, he would stick to it. Starting his car, he left the Civil Affairs Bureau and drove toward the prison to visit Jessica.

swollen, red-rimmed eyes. She picked up the phone with urgency, leaning closer

been crying? Your eyes are all puffy. Did something

though the latter had a darker edge. Jessica still harbored a deep grudge against Hank's mother, Mrs. Brown, and

instead of Hank during that chaotic confrontation. Chelsea had been the puppet master behind so much of their chaos. She had fueled the conflicts between Hank and Liberty, pushed Jessica into her

calm, lacking his usual arrogance. "No,

Jessica. The way they had treated her in

her brow furrowed in confusion. "Then

parents. The pressure of her incarceration had already taken a

package delivered by a third party

heard the

capable daughter who had "married well.” Her brother and sister-in-law were eager to enjoy the benefits of her city lifestyle-cars, money, and the promise of

apart, she became a stain on their reputation, no longer worthy of love