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 was located on the 100th

top floor of an

gaze upon the stars and enjoy Stormton City’s lovely nighttime scenery, gazing at Fig River, which cuts

the Michelin 5–star restaurant prepared dishes

at Cloudnine Restaurant came with

be prepared to spend at least 15 grand for a single

being a really busy

worry. I have that

her

got lucky. We

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

should be Cloudnine Restaurant’s busiest

led Lila to the

QR code and welcomed Jane and Lila to the

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

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

What’s so mysterious

feeling

Restaurant had ten

serve ten groups of diners at

be a friend of the restaurant owner before the waiting staff

were, the rowdier

at Cloudnine Restaurant, which had a reputation of being one of the best restaurants in Stormton City to

a table at the restaurant made it all the more

was the most popular restaurant

and Lila got a table

oozing from every single detail had Lila sighing in

years since I’ve dined at Cloudnine Restaurant. I find myself speechless every time I step inside.

for the meal

“Okay!”

the menu

few dishes cost them more than ten

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

keeping Dwayne’s money on me, so let’s spend every

Let’s do it! We don’t want that asshole’s money. You don’t need it. You’re doing fine on your

for me and tried to protect me when Dwayne and

took. Lila wasn’t the

wanted to protect Jane. Sometimes, Jane wished that she had been a member

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

given her was 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

keeps going on about how pretty and nice you are

“Sure.”

eyes were bright

would love to be the goddaughter of Lila’s

like

Madelyn like the apple of their eye

share of disappointments in her past

had died

yearning for a family had

coincidence had Hugh walking past

Jane

the sight. Jane

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

leaned in and spotted Jane too. He