In Portis City, Jaxon finally got a chance to see Cloudia, even though it was the middle of the night, which was a bit unusual.


    But neither of them cared about the odd timing. The important thing was that they were together.


    What Cloudia didn''t expect was the overwhelming despair that followed seeing Jaxon. Life inside was already tough, but seeing Jaxon limping and the bruises on his arms stung her heart.


    "What happened to your leg again?" Cloudia asked, her voice tight with worry.


    Jaxon shrugged it off, trying to downy the concern in her eyes. "It''s nothing major. How are you holding up?"


    Despite his assurances, Cloudia knew something terrible must have happened.


    "That witch Urs needs to be kicked out of the Larkin family. I want her gone," Cloudia spat with venom. She couldn''t believe the betrayal from someone she had done so much for. The thought of Urs made her blood boil.


    Jaxon looked at Cloudia, her face now gaunt and weary, and felt a pang of guilt. "She''s out," he assured her.


    The mention of Urs filled them both with anger and a shared sense of injustice.


    "Good," Cloudia nodded firmly. "Make sure you take back everything she has taken. She doesn''t deserve any of it."


    Cloudia was determined not to let Urs leave with any of the luxuries she''d been gifted-jewels, clothes, bags, and shoes-all the things that Cloudia had oncevished upon her.


    "And her car," Cloudia continued, her tone unyielding. "Don''t let her drive off in that either. I bought it."


    Jaxon nodded. "Don''t worry. She didn''t take anything with her."


    Cloudia felt a small wave of relief wash over her. "That''s right. It''s all meant for Star. Only Star deserves those things."


    When she spoke of Ste, Cloudia''s voice was heavy with regret. Ste, her flesh and blood, the one she had wronged for Urs''s sake. It was a bitter pill to swallow.


    The rift with Ste haunted her-a mix of love and resentment. She longed to make amends but feared it was toote. Ste''s coldness toward the Larkin family pierced her heart.


    Jaxon''s expression shifted at the mention of Ste, and Cloudia noticed immediately.


    "You''ve seen Star, haven''t you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Jaxon remained silent, looking uneasy.


    Cloudia''s heart sank further. "Did she say anything? Is she willing..."


    She hesitated, her hope flickering like a candle in the wind. "Will she help me?"


    Cloudia''s eyes were full of desperate hope, searching Jaxon''s face for any sign that Ste might forgive her and help. She hade to realize that everything hinged on Ste''s word. If Ste would only speak to Ronald on her behalf, everything could be resolved.


    But Jaxon''s silence was telling.


    "Say something," Cloudia urged, her voice tinged with fear.


    Jaxon took a deep breath, closing his eyes briefly. "Forget about her. Pretend she never existed."


    Cloudia''s breath caught in her throat.


    Jaxon continued with a heavy heart, "She''s no longer part of the Larkin family."


    Besides the bond of blood, there was nothing left connecting Ste to them.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!