“Shut up and get out of the way.” This idiot had no sense of timing whatsoever.

The sharp pain jolted Hugh back to his senses. His eyes darted around, taking in the uneasy silence. The fight was long finished. Cold dread sank in. He’d deserted his duty. Cole was furious—anyone could see that.

Heart pounding, Hugh swallowed hard and stammered, “Mr. Evans, I… I’m so sorry…”

“Consider yourself retired.” Cole’s voice sliced through the air, cold and absolute.

Hugh shrank as though struck, his body collapsing inward on itself. Twenty-three years old—still young, still strong—and already Cole had tossed him aside like something broken.

Heather knew she and Hugh had returned too late. She plastered on an ingratiating smile for Elliana.

“From what I can see, there was an explosion at the underground base. Tell me—what became of Maxine and Miguel?”

Elliana borrowed Cole’s glacial tone without hesitation.

“Consider yourself retired.”

Heather’s face twisted. Her hand rose to touch her nose in an awkward gesture. How could Elliana entertain the notion of discarding her?

“We should head back,” Elliana said, pivoting toward Cole.

Cole nodded and then shifted his attention to Sophie and Aubrie.

“Mom, Grandma—come back to Ublento with me.”

Aubrie said nothing. At her age, she would follow her daughter wherever the road led.

Sophie, however, shook her head.

“Cole, you and Elliana should return to Ublento. I’ll remain here in Delta. Gearveil Hall has always belonged to the Griffiths family—it was our secret stronghold. I once lived there. Now that Elliana leads the family, I can move back in.”

“Mom, why won’t you come back to Ublento with me?” Confusion shadowed Cole’s face.

“I can take better care of you if you’re with me. Besides, Dad has been waiting years for you to come home. He has ruined his health searching for you. He’ll be thrilled when he finds out I’ve found you.”

Sophie shook her head again. A faint, bitter smile touched her scarred face. She refused to go back to Ublento because she didn’t want Jarrett to see her. Back when they had fallen in love, she’d been a vision of grace, and he a man whose smile could light up a room. But now, her face was a map of old wounds, a ruin she couldn’t show him. Better to let him keep the memory of her as she was—beautiful, untouched by time or pain. Some dreams were kinder left unawakened.

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