: Unveili

om. Marina shifted slightly in bed and sat up, turning to discovery Aiden had woken up earlier and was looking at her.

and gently touched her face and swept across

g her conversation. She arched her back and this created some d

n said. "I have given a second thou

him had by the fire; it was still fresh in her mind. She touc

just concerned about you. Whatever it i

"I sit and ponder much about my past and my family and there are issues that maybe I have intentionally left unr

ned. "Do you want

've not been talking for years now. He never liked anything I did, and when I decided to follow my pa

ened with concern. "Tha

lt like there's unfinished business between us

that's what we'll do. We'll f

ne for so long, but now, with Aiden's support, she felt ready to fac

lied, his voice firm and reassuring. "W

this, but they debated the most effective means of reaching him for hours. Marina was nervous but at th

y to break the ice without much pressure put on her father. Marina went through the v

y of the call. Aiden sat beside her, offering silent support. She dialed the numb

el

ht in her throat. "D

other end of the line. "M

voice shaking. "I know it's been a l

"I didn't expect to hear f

rage. "I want to see you, to talk in pers

f vulnerability creeping in. "Alright

eling of relief and churning of the stomach began to swell in Marina when she put down the phone

enjoying. She and Aiden came ahead of time and to ensure that they got a perfect place to have a conversation in peace,

was older Cal composedly remembered, his hair lighter, his weather-beaten face mask telling the tale of t

ne rather deep, but far from bea

he stood from the couch to provide h

Aiden, m

d his hand. "It's a ple

en's hand, his gaze

took a deep breath, determined to break the tension. "I'm sorry fo

na. I didn't understand your choices, and I reacted

ve missed you too Dad, I have bee

ng hours talking and recalling the events and incidents. Aiden stayed nearby but did n

ling of relief together with the hope. The effects of the previous ex

r while she cooked setting the pace for entertainment by laughing and discussing the occurrences of the day. The

e. It was not long ago that Pryce and Brierley had been complete strangers, brought together for a business deal that would promise them both money; now they

enderly, "I wanted to

ng there

his. "You don't have to thank me, Marina. I'm here

ion. "I love you too, Aiden. Mor

and went to bed Marina found herself filled with a calm satisfaction that everything was now so well. She understood that th

e, he left their side of the bed cold. Her muscles ached and she sto

d, his tone firm. "I

rry in his eyes. "There's something I need to

g a pang of concern.

thing I can't handle. Just some complications with a bu

ld have to handle this on his own, but at the same time she understood

. "Just knowing that you're here is en

m, holding him close. "Be careful

ent back to the bookstore to work on a new plan regarding the display and arrangement of the shelves. She

so much; she was relieved whenever she had the feeling that he was close. But she also understood that it was a sign of their

store that is when he met him. Jayden Hawthorne was standing blocks

voice was calm, composed and dang

ouldn't deny him entry without arousing suspicion. "Of c

d with books he said. "I was passing this way and I felt I should

rickle of uneas

oposition for you. Something that cou

tious. "I'm not interested in any propositio

expressio

er, Marina. This isn't an off

oice steady. "I'm not interest

his gaze. "Very well. But remember, Marina,

that Jayden was trouble, and his visit only confirmed her suspicions. She

d her that Jayden was hiding something, and as always she understood that she need to be prepared. However, she

Marina never lacked things to do and although she did not give much space to thoughts of Aiden in the day, t

he evening, and he must have been so tired but also relieved at the same time. The mo

long time," she said softly a

missed you too," Aiden said warmly. "I

ng up at him with concern

firm. "But there's something we nee

skipped a bea

breath, his expression serious. "While I was away, I learned something about Jayden.

was trouble. He came to the book

on darkened. "Wh

d not accept any refusal," Marina fumed. "Aiden I'm scared I'm sorry but

comforting. "We'll deal with this together, Marina. We won'

ugh her. She knew that they travelled only at the beginning of the way, but when she recalls Aiden next to her, she did not feel it