Chapter 266

As Tina attempted to evade responsibility for her crimes by claiming mental illness, new evidence arrived from Halewick. The doctor, bribed by the Sowles to misrepresent her condition, had confessed to the police. One piece of evidence after another proved Tina was the culprit. There was nothing else she could say. Austin couldn't do anything about it, either.

In two separate rooms at the police station, two groups of people emerged. Dominic and Austin met face to face. Dominic walked toward him and greeted him.

"Mr. Sole, I hope you're alright. I understand it's hard being the older brother," Dominic said sympathetically. "But you won't have to be anymore. You won't need to clean up her messes after this. Just pay her a visit every now and then on special occasions."

Austin's face turned pale. "My condolences," Dominic said, patting his shoulder like they were old friends, then left with Vespera and the others.

At noon, Dominic and Vespera walked out of the police station with the group. Brianna, finally receiving the justice she had long awaited, was bawling her eyes out—tears of sorrow and relief. Antonio invited them all to his farmhouse for a meal before they left Ashford. It was hard to refuse, since everyone genuinely felt overjoyed.

As they got into the car and drove off, a white car passed by slowly. Vespera hummed and saw its window was half down. Inside sat a woman of incredible beauty—so well-maintained it was impossible to guess her age. The woman glanced at them, but behind her gentle gaze was a flash of something menacing.

Dominic scoffed. "The Sowles ended up going to her for help. This is no better than inviting the demon into your house." He leaned in and looked out the same window Vespera was staring through, sounding as if he were mourning the Sowles.

Vespera picked up on the implication and asked, "So she's the one helping the Sowles?" Dominic turned her face back toward him and rubbed her cheek. "Never mind who they asked. They're all nothing but clowns. No need to fret," he said, reassuring her. She felt relieved.

Only after the car had driven for a while did she realize he was still leaning against her, caressing her face the whole time. Surprised by her own lack of awareness, she pulled his hand away and turned away from him. Dominic sat back as if he hadn't done anything at all.

The group headed to the farmhouse for the meal. While they were eating, Brianna told them she would be taking Jade in, and that they would live together. The announcement surprised everyone, but no one said anything. They just smiled and nodded. It was Brianna's choice to forgive or resent Jade. What others thought didn't matter, and no one had the right to interfere.

Halfway through the meal, Jade arrived. She wasn't wearing a hat or a mask, and the scar on her face was fully exposed in the daylight. Yet, it didn't seem as terrifying as it once had. Brianna went out to greet her. They stood in front of the flowerbed, neither speaking at first. Eventually, Jade called out softly, "Mrs. Cruz…" Brianna stepped forward and embraced her. In that moment, two hearts twisted by years of torment and darkness seemed to find peace, as if they'd finally discovered a reason to keep going.

By 2:00 pm, the group began leaving the farmhouse. They returned to the hotel to retrieve their luggage and headed back to Halewick. Vespera quickly got into a different car before someone stopped her. Riding in the same vehicle as Dominic felt too dangerous. On the way back, she slept like a log. It might've been the weight on her chest finally lifting, putting her into complete relaxation. As soon as she got in the car, she pulled Rebecca close and used her as a pillow, sleeping comfortably in her arms. Rebecca didn't have the heart to resist her. During the trip, Byron asked if her arms were tired. She simply gestured to the car behind them, as if to say there was someone back there who was dying to switch places.

They stopped at a service area during the drive. When they finally exited the highway into Halewick, it was already dusk. Vespera stirred from a heavy, disorienting sleep and blindly reached out to pat Rebecca, but something felt off. "Hip? hecca, why is your chest fat? Where did your boobs go?"