Chapter 215

Caroline hesitated, then changed tack. ‘Could you talk to Ashton? Ask him to go easy on your dad?’ I didn’t bother hiding the irritation in my voice. ‘Get to the hospital first. We’ll talk if you show up.’ ‘Alright, alright. We’re on our way.’ The moment I ended the call, I messaged the precinct. Told them to send officers to the hospital immediately. Twenty-five minutes later, they arrived. Caroline, Preston, and Serenna stumbled in looking washed out and twitchy. They pushed the door open. The first thing they saw wasn’t me. It was four uniformed cops standing near Cade’s bed. Caroline froze. Her knees buckled. She grabbed the doorframe for balance. ‘Mirabelle…’ she said through clenched teeth. ‘You tricked me.’ I stepped out from behind the officers. ‘I said I’d consider it. Never said I agreed. And now I’ve changed my mind.’ Her mouth worked for a second, then clamped shut. Preston shoved past her. He pointed at my face, already red and loud. ‘Ungrateful brat. You lied to us! Took