Since arriving, Larry hadn’t spoken a single word to Elysia, and Elysia made zero effort to greet him, though she threw covert, scrutinizing glances his way.

She knew Amara had forgiven him, but as Amara’s fiercely loyal best friend, Elysia still held a grudge for everything he had put her through.

At the same time, Elysia fully supported Amara’s choice to mend the bridge. Larry was her only remaining family, and he was genuinely trying to be a good father now. Her forgiveness was justified.

The silence was bordering on awkward, so Amara tossed out a lifeline. “Dad, how is Elowen doing? Is she still grounded?”

Larry nodded, his expression darkening. “I hired an etiquette coach. She’s rotten to the core, and I know I can’t fix that. But if I can’t fix the inside, I can at least polish the outside. If she’s going to be a terrible person, she shouldn’t make it so glaringly obvious to everyone she meets. How else is she going to survive out there?”

“So, she’s going to learn manners and decorum for two solid months. Once she’s presentable, I’m finding her a husband and shipping her off. Whether she thrives or ruins her life after that is no longer my problem.”

His jaw tightened. “I’ve sacrificed enough for her. Once I fulfill this final duty, I’m washing my hands of her completely.”

Amara was genuinely surprised. She hadn’t expected him to view the situation with such cold clarity. A leopard doesn’t change its spots, and Elowen’s toxic nature was permanent. Focusing on surface-level damage control was the most practical strategy.

Elowen was astonishingly foolish, and thanks to Fiona Faye Sullivan’s coddling, she possessed absolutely zero grace or discipline.

Since her intellect and morals were unsalvageable, forcing her to mimic the elegance of a high-society heiress was the only way to make her remotely marketable for marriage.

She nodded, deciding not to add fuel to the fire.

She had already publicly severed ties with Elowen and Fiona, so there was no need to offer fake pleasantries.

Just then, the clinic doors swung open, and a nurse stepped out with a clipboard. “Amara Sullivan? Is Amara Sullivan here?”

II

It was her turn.

Amara’s heart skipped a beat. Operating on autopilot, she stood up and walked toward the nurse.

“Ama, wait a second,” Larry called out, standing up to intercept her.

Amara turned back. “Yes, Dad?”

Larry approached, his face uncharacteristically solemn. “Don’t be afraid once you go in. I looked into it-the procedure is very fast.”

“You aren’t too far along, and this hospital has the best OB-GYNs in the state There’s virtually no risk. Just take a deep breath and don’t stress.”

Amara almost laughed at how he was comforting her like a little girl.

Still, his gruff reassurance did manage to ease the heavy dread sitting on her chest.

She nodded with a small smile, murmured, “I know,” and turned back toward the doors.

But just as she took a step toward the operating room, a deafening crash shattered the quiet hallway Someone violently shoved the corridor doors open.

aft

ет

The noise was explosive, making every expectant mother and partner whip their heads around. The intruderignored charging down the Hallway with terrifying speed until he reached Amara, his hand clamping down on her arm like a vise.