Ste was surprised. "Really? Your driving skills are something else. Fine, I''ll get someone to tow you out."


    Tegan begged, "You better hurry up. It''s freezing out here."


    It was one of those brutally cold days in Portis City. Snow, yet again, had nketed the city, making Ste wonder what curse had befallen them this year. Snowfall was relentless, one storm after another.


    Winters in Portis City were typically cold, sure, but never quite so snowy. Usually, it was just a dusting of snowkes.


    Hearing Tegan''s plight, Ste nced out the window. Yep, the snow was definitely piling up.


    "Got it."


    But why was Tegan in Misty Bay, anyway? They hadn''t nned on meeting today.


    Hanging up, Ste turned to the butler. "Get someone to tow Tegan out. Her car got stuck."


    The butler nodded. "Yes."


    He quickly arranged for someone to assist.


    Ste headed to the dining room for breakfast. The staff promptly served her favorite morning meal-soft, creamy oatmeal. But she barely had an appetite. Lately, nothing seemed to pique her interest.


    Warmth and cold, two extremes were ying out in Misty Bay. After a brief inquiry about Jaxon, Ste let the matter drop. Those people didn''t matter to her. Her indifference mirrored the coldness they once showed her.


    Ste was cozily tucked away in her warm, castle-like home while Jaxon waited outside Misty Bay''s gates. Even inside his car, the chill was palpable.


    The driver returned. "Mr. Larkin, Ms. Quinn won''t see you."


    Jaxon was stunned, and his heart sank. Ste''s refusal was hardly surprising. How the Larkin family treated her in the past wasing back tenfold.


    Jaxon closed his eyes, wishing Ste had left him a message at least. Even an angry tirade would have been wee. At least that would show she still felt something.


    But he was wrong. Ste had left him nothing. She had entirely erased the Larkin family from her world.


    When had it be so difficult tox


    see Ste, their flesh and blood? Why had they grown so distant? Jaxon closed his eyes, frustration emanating from him.


    The driver hesitantly asked, "Shall we leave?"


    Jaxon opened his eyes, his gaze sharp, "Call again. Tell them it''s urgent."


    The driver didn''t know what to say in response. He had been with the Larkin family for years, knew all too well the deep rift between them and Ste. They had been willing to hurt their real daughter over an adopted one Then, with their current


    troubles, Ste wouldn''t


    care.


    The butler was firm when he received another call from Jaxon in the vi. "In the


    future, don''t bother notifying us of calls from the Larkin family."


    Without even asking what the urgent matter was, he hung up.


    Overhearing, Ste continued eating in silence. The butler''s handling of the Larkin family pleased her.


    "Miss," the butler approached.


    Ste snorted, "There''s nothing to discuss."


    She understood Ronald''s stance. There would be no hope for the Larkin family


    from her end. She wasn''t their savior.