and followed Vincent through t
ood arranged with military precision, each
nie, they bowed in perfect unison and
through the grounds wit
rd, Melanie instinctively
ial residence, she had never been welc
tern and imposing. What unsettled her most was the u
ever his identity was, it was clea
shoulder. "There's nothing to fear. They're here for your saf
st a sharp glance
ly replaced their intimidating expressi
ied footsteps echoed
woman rushing toward her, with a distinguis
cades younger than her age. Her delicate featu
opped abruptly, tears flooding her eyes w
econds and wrapped Melanie in a desperate embrac
th emotion. "After you vanished, I searched every corner of Auloxia. People told me to stop hoping. They said y
, enveloped by the warmt
yes began
like to be loved so
for her, but she had always been quie
to her openly, crying
ep voice calm but strained with emotion. "A
r tears. "You're right, you're right... Melly, don't be n
ont of Melanie and lo
-regret, sorrow, relief, and the immeasurab
quietly, his voice rough with feeling. "Exac
prompted gent
ie's shoulder. "Welcome home. As long as I am here,
her and noticed the redness lingering arou
ove a whisper, yet they
efore tears overf
another embrace, sobbing
rned his face aside and di
, watching the scene with quiet
ster had fina
.
unlike anything Melanie
id constantly urged Melanie to eat, enthusiastically placing d
le. Though he spoke very little, his at
photo of the family gathered together and sent it
t exploded alm
ncent, are you serious? You brought
This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. We
his is incredible. I can't wai
d the reunion, excitement overwhelmed everything else.
told her about all of you. Once you're
personally showed Mela
ories high above ground, while two additional levels stretched beneath it, containi
nding paths leading to a pristine artificial lake where
lanie said af
ea
o?" Melanie finally voiced the
plified explanation of the family's holdings. By the tim
nt flickering in his eyes. "My own lin
kind o
eached into his pocket and produced a metal
nized the symbol, her ey
od
s unusually young, dangerously unpredictable, and ruthless
king almost impossibly harmless de
scare you?"
d without hesitation.
placed the sharpnes
and guided her forward. "And because I'm your br
n the Pr
ent touching the corners of his eye
room, Melanie checked her phone and discovered
one had com
open them to gues
nds and accusations wo
nship? Had she betrayed him? She should
idicu
age, Shawn had never once taken
a burning fever in the presidential residence,
he seemed unable
ngle message, Melani
ise disappeared
n a completely new
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