As if she sensed my inner turmoil, Marybeth stood and reached for my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “To never fail can sometimes be more debilitating than failing just a little. Failure is not necessarily a bad thing. Everyone makes mistakes, good ones, and bad ones but the one that forgives first will find peace the fastest, even if the heart is heavy with vengeance.”
I frowned but heard myself asking, “what does that mean?”
“Don’t let your past corrupt your present to destroy your future. We are all professors of philosophy, Gianna but it takes just one student to say, I heard you.”
I nodded, understanding her advice more than I expected. “Did Julian explain our plan to return Maddox to his aunt?”
“He did.” Her smile was warm as though she agreed.
“And you’re okay with that?”
“Children need to be with family, more importantly, they deserve to be with family that loves them. I will hand Maddox over to you on the premise that he will be loved.”
“Thank you. If his aunt hasn’t given up searching for him for over two years, it tells me she loves him.”
“Just let me know when to be ready.”
As I walked out of the house and down the path, I had no idea why I kept glancing over my shoulder, feeling like I’d left something behind. Maddox stood at the door, continuously waving to me until I walked out the gate and climbed into the SUV. The tears fell once more.
Julian took one look at me, squeezed my hand, and started the engine. He let me cry.
53
Zayne (33 years)
“You sure you want to do this, Zayne?” Jaz asked, her tone lined with worry.
I’d told her about the note I received yesterday and we now stood in her apartment after going over Phil’s case files to check for potential suspects who would’ve been aware of my involvement. Nothing.
“You finally have someone with information on your nephew, I should check it out.”
“But you’re going in blind.” She bit her lip.
“And you underestimate my ability.”
“Technically, I don’t know what your ability is, remember, you’re the most closed-off person I know.”
