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.

to its name, the restaurant was

floor of an office

could gaze upon the stars and enjoy Stormton City’s lovely nighttime scenery, gazing at Fig River, which cuts right through the city, as well as a Ferris wheel

the Michelin 5–star restaurant prepared dishes that looked like

meals at Cloudnine Restaurant came with a hefty price

to spend at least

really busy restaurant. You need reservations

worry. I have

her phone

We

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

should be Cloudnine Restaurant’s

Lila to the top

their QR code and welcomed

look of deference in the waiter’s eyes

toward Jane and stuck her tongue out. “You’re becoming more mysterious

What’s so mysterious about

feeling that

Restaurant had ten

serve ten groups of

to be a friend of the restaurant owner before the waiting staff would set up an extra table for you. Otherwise,

the rowdier the

which had a reputation of

the restaurant made

most popular restaurant

and Lila got a

oozing from every single detail had

two years since I’ve dined at Cloudnine Restaurant. I

you’re paying for the meal today. Come on,

“Okay!”

the menu and ordered Jane’s

cost them

bottle of red wine that cost

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

don’t want that asshole’s money. You don’t need it. You’re doing fine on your own!” Jane’s lips quirked up into a

protect

knew how much courage that took. Lila wasn’t the

because she had wanted to protect

as a sister. She was the kind of family that Jane had always dreamed

pain. They had hurt and abused her and left her to

That’s what best friends do. Let’s not talk about that. Drop by my place and have dinner some time. I’ll have my parents whip up something nice for

you are

“Sure.”

were bright

would love to be the goddaughter

like a

Sutton family wouldn’t treat her like dirt while treating Madelyn like the apple of

had her share of disappointments in her

died for

family had died alongside

Hugh walking past

Jane chatting happily through the

man was surprised by the sight. Jane didn’t seem like someone

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

and spotted Jane too.