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

the top floor

at Fig River, which cuts right

5–star restaurant prepared

meals at Cloudnine Restaurant came with a hefty price

to be prepared to spend at least

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

worry. I have

waved her phone

We

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

Cloudnine Restaurant’s

led Lila to

QR code and

look of deference in the waiter’s eyes as he

and stuck her tongue out.

me. What’s so

a feeling

Restaurant had

serve ten groups of diners

friend of the restaurant owner before the waiting staff

were, the rowdier

a reputation of being one of the best restaurants in

table at the restaurant

the most popular restaurant

a table by

from every

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

meal

“Okay!”

the menu and ordered Jane’s

cost them more than ten

a bottle of red wine that cost a dozen

me, so let’s

doing fine on your own!” Jane’s lips quirked up into a smile. She tousled Lila’s

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

took. Lila wasn’t

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

was the kind of family

pain. They had hurt and abused her

not talk about that. Drop by my place and have dinner some time.

and nice you

“Sure.”

bright with unshed

would love to be

like a

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

had her share of

had died

family

Hugh walking past

Lila and Jane chatting happily through the

man was surprised by the sight. Jane

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

and spotted Jane too.