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.

restaurant

floor

which cuts right through the city, as well as

5–star restaurant prepared

Cloudnine Restaurant came with a hefty

had to be prepared to spend at least 15 grand

recall Cloudnine Restaurant being a really busy

worry. I have

her phone at

got lucky. We don’t need a

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

should be Cloudnine Restaurant’s busiest

to the top

scanned their QR code and welcomed Jane

the

leaned toward Jane and stuck her tongue out.

so mysterious

feeling that I

had ten

only serve ten groups of diners at

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

were, the

had a reputation of being

of getting a table at the restaurant made it all the

most popular restaurant in the

Lila got a table

from

Cloudnine Restaurant. I find

meal

“Okay!”

took the menu and ordered Jane’s

dishes cost them

menu and got a bottle of red

me,

don’t need it. You’re doing fine on your own!” Jane’s lips quirked up into a smile. She tousled Lila’s hair

you, Lila. You stood up for me and tried to protect me when Dwayne and Madelyn accused me

how much courage that took. Lila wasn’t the sort to speak

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

have Lila as a sister. She was the

ever given her was pain. They had hurt and abused her

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

how pretty and nice you are and how

“Sure.”

were bright with

be the goddaughter of

sounded like a

while treating Madelyn like the apple of their eye

had her share of

died

yearning for a family had

coincidence had Hugh walking past Cloudnine Restaurant

caught Lila and Jane chatting happily through the

by the sight. Jane didn’t seem

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

spotted Jane too. He