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

was the top floor

enjoy Stormton City’s lovely nighttime scenery, gazing at Fig River, which cuts right through

5–star restaurant prepared dishes that looked

meals at Cloudnine Restaurant came with a

be prepared to spend at least 15 grand for

Restaurant being a really busy restaurant.

worry. I have that

her

lucky. We

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

Cloudnine Restaurant’s

Lila to

code and welcomed Jane and

deference in the waiter’s eyes as

stuck her tongue out. “You’re becoming more mysterious by

so

just a feeling that I

Restaurant had ten

restaurant could only serve ten groups of diners at any

owner before the waiting staff would set up an extra table for you.

there were, the rowdier

of being one of the best

difficulty of getting a table at the restaurant made

fact, it was the most

and Lila got a table by

decorated restaurant with opulence oozing from every single detail had Lila sighing in

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

meal

“Okay!”

the menu and

few dishes cost them

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

don’t feel comfortable keeping Dwayne’s money on me, so let’s spend

need it. You’re doing fine on your

up for me and tried to protect me when Dwayne and Madelyn accused me

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

wanted to protect Jane. Sometimes, Jane wished that she had

be amazing to have Lila as a sister. She was the kind of family

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

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

and nice you are and how much she wants you to be

“Sure.”

bright with unshed

love to be

sounded like a

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

her share

had died

yearning for a family

Hugh walking

caught Lila and Jane chatting happily through the

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

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

spotted Jane too.