"In other news today, a joyous announcement: the Clark and Thompson families are uniting in marriage. Ernest Thompson is set to wed Yolande Clark in three months.

" Stanley's words hit me like a bucket of ice water, sending a chill down my spine., Perhaps, this was the real reason Ernest wanted to part ways with me., Yolande, I knew who she was; the sister of Lord, having studied abroad., When I first looked into Lord, I stumbled upon her information as well. Her impressive academic credentials caught my attention, and I even checked out her photo. She was a stunning beauty with a PhD, truly embodying both beauty and brains., My gaze met Ernest's, and I couldn't help but smirk mockingly before turning to leave., I walked briskly, so much so that my high heels betrayed me, nearly causing me to twist an ankle at the doorway., They say when it rains, it pours, and boy, did it feel true at that moment., Biting back the pain in my ankle, I made my way to the entrance, hand outstretched to hail a cab., All I wanted was to get far away from there, not wanting to spend another second in that place., Just as I raised my hand, a car pulled up in front of me, its window rolling down to reveal Dustin's face.,

"Let me give you a ride,

" he offered., I didn't know how I looked at that moment, but instinctively, I shook my head., However, Dustin cut me off,

"Felicia, you've had a word with every member of the Wagner family, except for me. Seems like today's as good a day as any to clear the air.

", He was right. After Herschel came clean, I had talks with Conrad and Jacqueline, but never with Dustin., But whether I spoke to him or not, he, along with the others, had become people I kept at arm's length., I chose not to hold a grudge, but I couldn't bring myself to love them like before., Suppressing the sadness in my heart, I said,

"Dustin should know where I stand. Frankly, there's nothing left to say.

", Dustin got out of the car and said,

"Felicia, no matter what you think, you'll always be like a little sister to me.

", I lowered my gaze, the bitterness stirring, longe side. Why did the ones, het, care the least, while those, I wished to avoid always lingered around? , Clasping my hands tightly, the words of the elder echoing in my ears, a voice inside me screamed: Ernest is marrying someone else.

"Felicia?

" Dustin called out., I looked at him, my thoughts drifting elsewhere.,

"Felicia, my father's mistakes are unforgivable and as his son, there's not much I can say. But I'll do my best to atone for the wrongs he committed. Of course, no matter, what we do, it won't undo that net, hurt, we've caused you, but we'll try our hardest,

" Dustin spoke sincerely., , Jacqueline and even Conrad had said similar things., Knowing my refusal wouldn't change, eir stance, and eager to, end our conversation, I simply, agreed,

"Fine, Dustin. Helping me out when I need it is enough.

" ,

"Do you need Dustin now?

" he asked., At that moment, all I needed was a ride, but the thought of being alone with him made me hesitant., I was scared I might show how vulnerable I was feeling., In my silence, Dustin added,

"It's late, and it's not safe for a girl to be hailing a cab alone.

", Dustin was insistent, but I wouldn't budge., He understood my reluctance and, with a faint smile, gave himself an out,

"If you don't want to, I won't force you.

", Just then, a cab approached, and I gestured towards it,

"There's my ride, so I won't trouble you, Dustin.

", Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.