Liza looked at Rafael, wanting to say so many things to him, a final farewell she wished to make, but the situation left her no time to do so.
Holding Chris, Wade shouted at her again to move. âHurry up, or Iâll shoot you!â
Meanwhile, Joelle was trying to take Ryland from Allie. Rafael and Adrian assisted Joelle, but Allie clung tightly to the child.
âYou should be on my side!â Allie looked at Rafael with tears in her eyes. âI just want a child!â
Rafael rarely lost his temper with Allie in front of others, but he couldnât contain it this time.
âCut it, will you? You canât take anyoneâs child just because you want one! Donât force something you canât have!â
Allie glared at him, angered and hurt by his words.
âYou donât love me, so I want someone who does. I want a family! Is that so wrong?â
Rafael paused, remembering Allieâs old wounds. At her core, she was still that hurt little girl. She hid her pain by acting out, using it as a form of revenge for the injustices she had endured.
On the outside, she seemed to have everything. But in reality, she had nothing. She had no family, no friends, no people she could trust.
âYouâll have one,â Rafael said softly, having calmed down, and he patted her head. âIn time, you will.â
Under his comforting words, Allie slowly handed the boy back to Joelle. âIâm sorry, Joelle.â
The childâs cries drowned out everything else for Joelle. As she held his fragile, little body, a wave of relief and disbelief washed over her. After a year apart, she was finally reunited with her son. Her first instinct was to check if the child was alright. But when she saw his face, she froze.
âHow could Ryland have changed so much in just a year?â Joelle murmured, her voice shaking.
Adrian came to her side, realizing what was wrong. âCallan!â
Wade didnât even wait until the car doors were close before telling the driver to start the engine. The front of the car crashed into the iron gates but didnât break through, giving Callan time to cling to the open car door. Rafael picked up a gun and fired twice at the car window, but it had no significant effect.
From inside the car, Liza saw Rafael shoot and was stunned. How could he fire at the car knowing she was inside?
âGet that bastard off the car!â Wade told the driver through gritted teeth. The driver slammed on the accelerator, and the car shot forward like an arrow, throwing Callan off and barreling towards the gates.
This time, the gates were smashed open, but not without slightly damaging the car hood.
A shootout erupted as Wadeâs car was pursued by gunfire. Clutching the boy in her arms, Joelle bawled in disbelief and anger, overwhelmed by emotion until she fainted.
âJoelle!â Adrian caught her in time and called out to Michael, âTake care of things here!â He carried Joelle and ran to the car, while Rafael and Allie followed behind to check on her.
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