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.

name, the restaurant was

floor

at Fig River, which cuts right through the city, as well

5–star restaurant prepared dishes that looked

at Cloudnine Restaurant came with a

spend at least 15

recall Cloudnine Restaurant being a really busy restaurant. You need reservations to get a

I have that

her

We don’t need a

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

be Cloudnine

led Lila to

their QR code and

noticed the look of deference in the waiter’s eyes as he looked at

Jane and stuck her tongue out. “You’re becoming more mysterious by the day,

me. What’s so mysterious about

feeling that

Restaurant had ten

only serve ten groups

before the waiting staff would set up an extra

there were, the rowdier the restaurant would

a reputation of being one of the best restaurants in Stormton

the restaurant made it all the more

fact, it was the most popular restaurant in the

a table by

oozing from

I’ve dined at Cloudnine Restaurant. I

for the meal today. Come

“Okay!”

the menu and ordered

dishes cost them

took the menu and got a bottle of red wine that cost

comfortable keeping Dwayne’s money on me, so

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

protect me

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

to protect Jane.

sister. She was the kind of family that Jane

her was pain. They had hurt and abused her and

about that. Drop by my place and have

keeps going on about how pretty and nice you are

“Sure.”

were bright

to be the goddaughter

like a

treat her like dirt while treating Madelyn like

had had her share

had died for

yearning for a family

Hugh walking past Cloudnine

caught Lila and Jane

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

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

and spotted Jane