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

was the top floor

stars and enjoy Stormton City’s lovely nighttime scenery, gazing at Fig River, which cuts right through the city, as well as a Ferris wheel and a spectacular bridge across Fig River as they

the Michelin 5–star restaurant prepared dishes that looked like

meals at Cloudnine Restaurant came

spend at least 15 grand for a single

busy restaurant.

I

her phone at

We don’t need

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

should be Cloudnine Restaurant’s busiest

led Lila to the top

their QR code and

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

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

so mysterious about

just a feeling that

Restaurant had ten

only serve ten groups of diners at

restaurant owner before the waiting staff would set

more diners there were, the rowdier

had a reputation of being one of the best restaurants

at the

most popular

got a table by the

from every single detail had

years since I’ve dined at Cloudnine Restaurant. I

you’re paying for the meal today. Come

“Okay!”

took the menu and ordered

them

the menu and got a bottle of red wine that cost

Dwayne’s money on me, so let’s spend

You’re doing fine on your own!” Jane’s lips quirked up into a

protect me when

Lila wasn’t the

wanted to protect Jane. Sometimes, Jane wished that

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

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

about that. Drop by my place and have dinner

you are and how much she wants you to be

“Sure.”

were bright with unshed

love to be the goddaughter of

sounded like a great

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

had her share of disappointments in

had died for

for a family had died alongside

coincidence had Hugh walking past Cloudnine

caught Lila and Jane chatting happily through

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

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

spotted Jane too. He