Chapter 8
The top attorney in South City had always been Lucas Morgan-my father’s sworn brother.
After I married, he’d officially retired from law and moved to a private estate in England.
But when I learned Sophie’s death was tied to Hailey and Ryan, I made up my mind to seek
justice for her.
The first person I thought of was Uncle Lucas.
“Natalie, is Ryan even human? He actually used his own daughter so his mistress could
practice?”
Lucas’s voice was sharp with fury. “Did he forget the vows he made to you when you married?
He’s completely lost his damn mind.”
Lucas had loved Sophie even more fiercely than I did. Even in seclusion, he still sends gifts
every few days.
When he learned she’d been blown to pieces because of Ryan, the rage in his eyes looked like
it could burn the man alive.
I clutched Sophie’s smartwatch in my trembling hands and placed it in his palm.
“It’s all in here-the video of Hailey kidnapping and hurting her. I need you to put them both
behind bars.”
“As for Ryan and me-we’re finished.”
In five years of marriage, I’d never imagined the man who shared every day with me and our
daughter would commit such madness.
He could have used his skill to rescue Sophie quickly, sparing her any suffering.
Instead, because of Hailey’s spoiled whims, he’d handed her Sophie’s life.
The man who once held us both like treasures in his palms was gone.
And my love for him, built over five years, had shattered in an instant.
Chapter 8
6.84%
It must have been after receiving the flash drive I sent him that Ryan finally learned what
Hailey had done.
He apologized publicly before the press, confessing his crimes in full. I hadn’t seen him in some time, but when I did, there were more streaks of gray in his hair, his eye sockets sunken
deeper.
“It’s all my fault. I trusted Hailey, and it cost Sophie her life. My wife won’t even look at me
now.”
“I’m not fit to be a bomb disposal expert. I’m nothing but a failure.”
He told the whole story from beginning to end, repeating I’m sorry so many times it lost
meaning.
The public didn’t buy a word of it.
[We thought you were a hero. Turns out you sacrificed your own daughter for your mistress.
Are you even human?]
[Hailey didn’t even have a license. Letting her defuse bombs was against the law, and you still
trusted her?]
[Some expert you are. Couldn’t even save your own kid. You don’t deserve to be alive!]
Under the constant assault of flashing cameras, Ryan just stood there, head bowed, unable to
meet anyone’s eyes.
Guilt? Regret? He felt them now?
It was too late.
Sophie would never forgive him. And neither would I.
The night before the trial, Ryan showed up at my door.
Lucas didn’t hesitate-his fist slammed into Ryan’s face.
Chapter 8
6.84%
“You’ve got the nerve to come here? You let your conscience rot away, and now you want what,
forgiveness?”
“Let me tell you something, Ryan-get you and your mistress ready. I’m not letting either of
you off easy.”
Ryan wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, limping toward me.
The stench of alcohol rolled off him, laced with exhaustion.
“Natalie, please… tell me what I have to do for you to forgive me.”
“Every day I’m living in hell. I want to follow Sophie, but I can’t bring myself to leave you…”
“Baby, can’t you give me one more chance?”
Chapter 8
