âStop trying to provoke me,â Ryland muttered, though the conflict in his tone was evident.
Wade had given up everything for his safety, and throwing that away now felt like a betrayal.
Yet, the pride and stubbornness of youth refused to let him back down completely.
They stared each other down, locked in a silent battle of wills, until the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside. Ryland tensed, quickly shoving the gun back under the covers, and the room was swallowed by a heavy, oppressive silence.
The door opened, and the local police chief walked in, followed closely by embassy officials.
Wade had connections with terrorists before his death, and Ryland was the only person who could potentially testify against those criminals.
But Ryland refused to cooperate. There was no way he would point a finger at his father.
âMr. Miller, Sheriff Hooper Banner has summoned Ryland multiple times. He needs to tell us what he knows to help us dismantle this crime syndicate,â said one of the officials.
Ryland turned his back to them, curling up on the bed and refusing to acknowledge their presence.
Adrian, unshaken as always, leaned back in his chair. âHeâs just a child. Are you sure he knows anything?â
Beneath the covers, Ryland was slightly surprised when he heard Adrian turn them down.
âHe is Wadeâs only son. He must know something.â
Adrianâs expression didnât falter. âPlease leave. Give him some time. Heâs just lost his father, after all.â
The finality in Adrianâs tone silenced any argument. The officials exchanged uneasy glances before reluctantly exiting the room, leaving Adrian and Ryland alone.
As the door clicked shut, Adrian turned to Ryland, who still lay under the covers, his body stiff with defiance. âDid you hear everything?â Ryland remained silent.
Adrian knew he was listening. âJoelle said you donât have to cooperate with the interrogation if you donât want to. When youâre ready, weâll take you home.â
Ryland had heard similar words from Joelle beforeâhe didnât have to do anything he didnât want to. But how could they claim to care about him when they had left him with Wade for so many years? And how had his uncle, Chris, died?
Ryland trusted no one but himself, shaped by the things heâd seen and heard over the years.
It was Wade who raised him, who risked everything to keep him safe. Wade was the only person he believed in.
Joelle and Adrian couldnât return to the country for a while, so Aurora and Lucas were busy preparing a welcome party for Ryland at their home.
Upstairs on the terrace, balloons and streamers filled the air, creating a lively scene.
Molly, the head organizer, ran the operation with the precision of a drill sergeant. No one was exemptâAurora, Michael, and even Dulceâs twins, who had only just started school, were all put to work.
Kalel had been assigned the task of tying the balloons, but after completing just a couple, he decided to rope Sariah Kelly, Bobby and Fannieâs daughter, into his plan.
âKalel, whatâs the matter?â
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