No Way Back by Anna Mac

Chapter 19 An Unlucky Coincidence

Dwayne hadn’t felt bad when he had brought up the online scandal. That was because he had had no part in it.

Besides, he had been preoccupied with and worried about Madelyn.

This was different. Dwayne had gotten involved.

He had accused Jane of theft when he had had no proof.

Dwayne felt unworthy of the WWE gold medal that he had just won.

“What did you say, Dwayne?”

Madelyn hadn’t heard him.

However, she knew that it couldn’t be anything good.

“It’s nothing.

Dwayne yanked himself out of his thoughts.

It didn’t matter. What was done was done.

There was no point regretting it now.

Besides…

Dwayne wasn’t going to hurt Madelyn just because he felt bad about Jane.

“Dwayne, if you catch up with Janie right now, you can try and convince her to come back to the Fowler family. Janie looks so lonely. I feel so sorry for her.

“We had been misled right from the start and accused Janie of something she hadn’t done. She had every right to be upset and disown the family. If only I hadn’t been part of the family. This wouldn’t have happened in the first place if I never existed.”

Madelyn said with a pained look on her face.

“Silly girl, that’s utter nonsense. You’re a part of the Fowler family. Nobody’s going to change that fact. “You’re right. We were wrong about Janie. But that has nothing to do with you. She’s already made up her mind. We should respect her decision.”

Dwayne said gently, shoving whatever guilt he felt toward Jane to the back of his head as he turned his attention back to a remorseful Madelyn.

Jane took Lila on a long ride in her newly purchased Porsche Cayenne. She felt on top of the world.

Dwayne had given her thirty grand. She wasn’t going to turn down money.

She decided to treat Lila to a meal at the best restaurant in Stormton City.

“Let’s not, Janie. Why don’t we dine at my place instead? We should save the money. You need it…”

“Lila, don’t forget. Half of that money belongs to you too. I’ve never been to Cloudnine Restaurant. I really want to try it. Humor me, please.”

“All right then.”

Lila had decided that she would support Jane in her every decision, no matter what it was. That was what best friends were for.

Jane was having a bad day today, and Lila was going to cheer her up!

They arrived at Cloudnine Restaurant.

Cloudnine Restaurant was the most famous restaurant in Stormton City.

At the height of its fame, it had a waiting list that spanned a month long.

the restaurant was

floor of an

Stormton City’s lovely nighttime scenery, gazing at Fig River, which

hired by the Michelin 5–star restaurant prepared dishes that looked like works

meals at Cloudnine Restaurant came with

at

Cloudnine Restaurant being a really busy restaurant.

worry. I have that

her phone at

lucky. We don’t need a

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

be Cloudnine Restaurant’s

Lila to

and welcomed Jane and

noticed the look of deference in the waiter’s eyes

her tongue out.

What’s so mysterious

feeling that I

Restaurant had ten

could only serve ten groups of diners at any one

a friend of the restaurant owner before the waiting staff would set

diners there were, the rowdier the

reputation of being one

getting a table at the restaurant made it all the more

fact, it was the most

and Lila got a table by the

oozing from

since I’ve dined at Cloudnine Restaurant. I find myself

meal today. Come on,

“Okay!”

took the menu and

dishes cost them more than

menu and got a bottle of red wine that cost a dozen grand or

money on me, so let’s spend every single dollar of it

You’re doing fine on your own!” Jane’s lips quirked up into a smile. She tousled Lila’s

to protect me when Dwayne and Madelyn accused me

Lila

her courage and overcome her meek nature because she had wanted to protect Jane. Sometimes,

would be amazing to have Lila as a sister. She was the kind of family that Jane had

family had ever given her was pain. They had

we’re best friends. That’s what best friends do. Let’s not talk about that. Drop by my place and have dinner

mother keeps going on about how pretty and nice you are and how much she wants

“Sure.”

eyes were bright

love to be the

sounded like

like dirt while treating Madelyn like the apple of their eye like

her share of

had died

family had died

had Hugh walking past Cloudnine

caught Lila and Jane chatting happily through the

by the sight. Jane didn’t seem like someone capable

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

leaned in and spotted Jane too.