Chapter 679



Gone was the gentleness Clayton had shown in front of Kallie. Now, he appeared stern and suspicious. “Remember our deal,” he said to Jake.

Jake’s gaze hardened as he met Clayton’s eyes, a scornful smirk crossing his face. “Don’t worry. I keep my word. Unlike you and your sister.”

Clayton’s face flushed with a mix of shame and irritation. “I’m doing everything I can, but convincing Cara isn’t easy. However, you’re free now. Cara won’t dictate your movements anymore. That’s something, isn’t it?”

“Something?” Jake’s smirk turned biting. “So, I should be thankful I’m not being treated like a prisoner anymore?”

Clayton’s cheeks reddened with fury. “Watch your words, Jake.”

Unrelenting, Jake fired back, “I haven’t even started on the worst part. Just know that if you keep cornering me like this, we’re all going down. Got it?”

With those words, Jake turned and left in a huff.

As Clayton watched Jake’s figure shrink in the distance, he let out a defeated sigh.

“Cara, the man you’ve chosen is a piece of work. He’s too stubborn. Push him any harder, and it’ll end in disaster,” Clayton muttered under his breath.

Clayton mulled over whether aiding Cara had been a mistake from the very start. But regrets were futile now. There was no turning back. Time would eventually take everything away. Kallie had believed his fabricated stories, which was fortunate. Ever since she returned home, Kallie had seemed absentminded. Though she attempted to maintain a relaxed facade around Sophie and Calvin, Sophie, now a sharp teenager, sensed the strain.

Sophie sensed something was amiss but resisted the urge to ask Kallie about it immediately. Instead, she chose a more tranquil moment to engage with her.

Often, their bond mirrored that of close friends.

In Sophie’s presence, Kallie’s usually firm demeanor softened.

Hearing Kallie express her feelings, Sophie felt a pang of sorrow. Yet, she knew her unease paled in comparison to Kallie’s profound grief. Kallie had raised her, and they shared countless memories. Her recollections of Jake, however, were fleeting. Those moments with Jake brought her joy, but they were short-lived. Her primary concern was alleviating Kallie’s sadness.

After comforting Kallie, Sophie walked outside and unexpectedly bumped into Calvin.

With a calm gaze, Calvin inquired confidently, “Was our dad found?”

Sophie wasn’t taken aback by his question. Calvin had always been keenly observant. She hushed him gently and led him away to talk privately.

“We did find him, but not Chloe. Dad has a new family now. He doesn’t want us anymore,” Sophie remarked, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Calvin looked down, his discomfort evident. Then, a sudden thought made him lift his gaze, locking eyes with Sophie earnestly. “Sophie, trust me. I believe she’s still out there,” he asserted, placing his hand over his heart. “Chloe and I are twins. I once heard twins have a unique bond. I can feel she’s alive. Maybe she just wasn’t happy.”

“Really?” Sophie’s face brightened with a flicker of hope.

Calvin nodded firmly. “Absolutely. I trust my instincts.”

.

.

.