Chapter 757

At that moment, Jude’s heart was in his throat.

He wanted to reach out and cover Seth’s eyes, but he didn’t have the nerve.

Finally, he managed to ask, “Seth, are you okay?”

The moment the words were out, he realized how stupid the question was.

How could he possibly be okay?

Though Seth didn’t speak, the answer was clear. He was far from okay.

That scene had been like a physical blow, instantly chilling him to the bone.

It had hammered all the strength out of him.

He just stood there, watching.

Unable to do anything.

Incapable of doing anything.

A dull ache spread through his chest, tightening around his lungs until he could barely breathe.

It wasn’t until Noreen and Castle’s car drove away that he seemed to come back to himself.

Seeing him so utterly defeated, Jude started to regret persuading him to come after Noreen.

Before, he’d had no hope, living like a zombie.

But now, he was being torn apart, caught between hope and despair, his heart ripped to shreds. It was too cruel.

“Seth, maybe we should just go back to the island,” Jude suggested, his voice heavy.

Seth closed his eyes, a feeling of helplessness spreading through him until even the nerves in his arm went numb.

He remained motionless for a long time before finally speaking. “No. We’re not going back.”

***

On the way back to the Joyner Mansion, Castle mentioned a dinner with the Caldwell family.

It was for Old Mr. Caldwell’s birthday.

Since it wasn’t a major milestone, they were just planning a small gathering with friends and family at a hotel.

Even though Mrs. Joyner had passed away, Castle was still considered the Caldwells’ son-in-law, so he couldn’t avoid the dinner.

Castle’s intention was to ask Noreen to accompany him.

He wanted them to put on another performance to make Sue finally give up hope.

“At the end of the day, she’s Harriet’s sister. I can’t be too ruthless.”

That was why he hadn’t stopped the Caldwells from getting Sue out of the psychiatric hospital.

He was doing it out of respect for his late wife.

Even though he knew the Caldwell family using that to their

, making all sorts ofel

demands on him Content

Noreen could understand.

Since it was a small favor, she agreed to help him.

Katy, tired after dinner, had fallen asleep in Noreen’s lap during the drive back.

Castle looked over, surprised.

“Katy really trusts you.”

Noreen gently stroked Katy’s hair. “She says she feels safe with me.”

A flicker of emotion crossed Castle’s eyes. “That’s good,” he murmured.

Noreen’s attention was on Katy, so she missed the deep meaning in Castle’s gaze.

Castle turned to look out the window.

The only person Harriet couldn’t bear to leave behind was Katy.

For years, he had dedicated

to caring for katy holding on

Single purpose Conter

belongs to

If Katy now had someone she could be entrusted to…

Did that mean… he could finally go be with Harriet?

***

Jude had his ways.

He somehow managed to find out

that Noreen would be

acco

Castle to Old. Mi

Caldwell’s birthday dinner, .net>

Since it wasn’t a formal celebration, there were no invitations.

Jude was stumped. How were they supposed to get in?

“We’ll just walk in,” Seth said.

“Do you know the Caldwells?” Jude asked.

“Does kicking his favorite youngest daughter and breaking four of her ribs count?”

Jude fell into a deafening silence.

He wondered if they would be thrown out of the hotel tomorrow.

“Wait, why would you kick his daughter? And so hard! She’s a woman!”

Jude couldn’t understand it.

He didn’t remember Seth ever having a habit of hitting women.