Chapter 196
“Who sand she has nothing?”
A valce came from behind, sliding seamlessly into the conversation like in had been there all along.
Dominic was walking toward them from the direction of the police station
Vespera blinked in surps “M. Reid what are you doing here?t
Just had a little business to take care of,” Dominic replied smoothly, brushing off her question.
He looked at Luke and Tina with a pleasant smile. “Congratulations on finally getting what you wanted. It is truly a testament to your persistence.
“You’ve wasted through the storms, and now the clouds, have cleared, and the moon is finally shining through. So touching. There’s no need to worry about Ms.
oldon. Her good days are only just beginning ”
Then, be turned to Vespera and genthe patted her shoulder, like a boss kindly acknowledging his cop employee.
“Come on. Let’s get you on the road to something way better”
He slipped an arm around her shoulders and started walking her forward.
Vespers was so stunned by his sudden kindness that she nearly forgot how to walk, almost walking stiffly like a robot.
Rebecca, who had been fuming just moments ago—signing that release agreement had been humiliating enough and now watching Luke and Tina act like the most obnoxious couple on Earth–suddenly felt indicated
Pwatching them get upstaged like this? Perfect.
She grinned widely and shouted, “off we go! On the road to greatnessd”
Then, she gave Luke a slow once–over and added sweetly, “Ahh, so much nicer than the filthy, stinking little alley someone else is stuck on
“You know, the kind where you step on something nasty every other foot. This road? it’s clean, bright, and covered in flowers. That’s the kind of future my bestie
She slung herbag over her shoulder and strolled off, satisfied.
Tina’s grip on Luke’s shoulder tightened, her nails digging deep into his flesh.
But Luke didn’t even flinch. He just stood there, lifeless, staring after Vespera as she walked away with Dominic.
He knew that look on her face too well–knew it from years ago, when she’d first started opening her heart to him… the way she used to blush, get flustered, unsure what to do…
was falling for someone else.
She was done with him.
Luke pulled his arm out of Tina’s grasp, his expression blankas he turned and walked away.
Tine screamed his name behind him, shrill and hysterical, but he didn’t look back.
Two officers walked out of the police station just then and approached Tina.
“Mts. Sowle, is your epilepsy better? Good. Let’s go back inside.”
Really
She was throwing a son at the front door of a police station, and at the victim, no less? That took guts,
The officers handling the case were frustrated, too. Everyone Imew Tina was faking it, but someone was protecting her behind the scenes
All the night palms had been greased, every angle covered, and the so–called “evidence” looked just real enough. Sticking to protocol only meant one thing – she’d be sent to the inspirat
|_ Hearing that, Tuu stopped chasing after Luke and ran off.
Vespera had arrived at the station in Calvert’s car. But when she left, it was in Dominic’s car. He was driving, and it was just the two of them.
When she got in, she wanted to say something, but he didn’t give her the chance.
A few minutes to the dove, the silence grew so thick it became uncomfortable.
Vespera sat up straighter, deciding, she’d just be a quiet, well behaved statue.
The Dominic spoke, “What were you doing at the station?”
So much for the stator plant talled instantly.
- me. He asked me to signalase agreement for Tina and he threatened my
She thought for a second, then decided to just tell the truth. Yesterday, Luke came to me Lamily. You know how dangerous Tinais, and I couldn’t risk it. So
‘So you came this moning and signed it”
Duminic was quiet for a couple of seconds before replying, “You didn’t do anything wrong. Don’t beat yourself up over it.
“The power imbalance between you and them was never fair. It’s not your fault, Clarosting to step back and protect yourself was the smart move.”
Vesperatel berouse burning No one had ever said that to her before.
the’d telt ashamed, tudious with herselt for backing down. It had felt like defeat, and it had hurt more than she could admir.
She nodded slightly “Yeah ”
“Don’t lose heart. There’s a saving, Justice delayed is not justice denied. The time just hasn’t come yet,” Dominic said gently.
