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.

on his swollen, red-rimmed

you been crying? Your eyes are

mother, Mrs. Brown, and his sister, Chelsea. The two women had caused her nothing

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

lacking his

knew better than to defend his mother or sister in front of Jessica. The way they had treated her in the

brow furrowed in confusion. "Then why are you crying? Are my parents

was strained, they were still her parents. The pressure of her incarceration had already taken a toll on them, both

a third party was the only connection they maintained. She later learned that her brother and sister-in-law had forbidden her parents from seeing her, calling her a disgrace to the

laughed bitterly when she heard the news. How quickly things

her. Her parents proudly boasted about their capable daughter who had "married well.” Her brother and sister-in-law were eager to enjoy the benefits of her city

stain

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

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