CHAPTER 12

AXELLE

Pearl had requested that we meet for negotiation outside the court, and I agreed. Honestly, I didn't have the strength to deal with the inevitable media frenzy. All I wanted was for this whole ordeal to be over with as quickly and quietly as possible.

I prayed that things would go smoothly, hoping we could just wrap everything up without any unnecessary drama. But when I arrived and saw Mr. Kenneth, Adan's father, sitting across from me at the table, I realized it wouldn't be that simple. I hadn't expected him being here. 

A brief thought flickered—maybe I should have asked Miles to come with me.

I took in Adan battered face and wondered what could have happened to him.

The old man glared at me, his eyes cold and judgmental. But I didn't care. I met his gaze without flinching, refusing to be intimidated by someone who was as much to blame for this mess as anyone. They all caused this, every last one of them.