Chapter 1228

“Dad, your face—”

"My face? What about it? Wilder, what are you trying to say?" Cole's eyes narrowed, cold and sharp.

Wilder hesitated, then said slowly, "Dad, I saw you go out last night."

Cole's expression froze.

For a split second, panic flickered across his face, but he pulled himself together fast, staring at Wilder with disbelief—and suspicion.

Wilder took a deep breath. "Dad, I don't know what you were doing, but I hope you'll think about Mom. She's always put you first. You can't just betray her like that."

Cole's voice turned icy, almost cruel. "Wilder, are you threatening me?"

“No, Dad. I'm just telling you the truth. I hope you'll think about this family. Don't do something you'll regret."

Wilder's hands curled into fists. He was a man too-he knew exactly what Cole had gone out to do.

He hated even thinking it. It was hard to believe what he'd seen.

When had Cole started cheating? None of them had noticed a thing.

Wilder stared out the window at the city slipping away, feeling like his heart was being pulled along with it.

Cole said nothing. It was like he thought this was just some mistake every man makes, nothing worth talking about.

The car was silent. The tension between father and son was thick enough to choke

on.

...

Inside the Federal Security Bureau, Josefina was walking down the hall when she ran right into Selah.

Selah was in comfy clothes, her hair tied up effortlessly cool and beautiful.

She looked genuinely surprised to see Josefina there.

Josefina looked so young, so innocent-she could've been a high schooler.

What was such a fresh-faced girl doing here, of all places?

Was she in trouble?

Selah hurried over, her voice gentle. “Josefina, do you need help with something? Just say the word."

Josefina blinked in surprise. "Selah, thanks, but I'm just here to see a friend."

But Selah wasn't convinced. This wasn't a shopping mall; people here were either insiders or trouble.

She couldn't figure out which one Josefina was.

Selah pulled her aside and dropped her voice. "Josefina, if you need anything, you have to tell me. For

can

Oliver's sake, I'll do whatever o

help as long as you havent done anything illegal. I can only put strings if you're clean."

Josefina just stared at her. Did she really look that suspicious?

"I swear, I'm just here to see a friend. If you don't believe me, I'll call him over and introduce you Josefina pulled out her phone, determined to prove her point.

Selah hesitated. Had she totally overthought this?

A little embarrassed, Selah quickly said, "Josefina, sorry-I didn't mean to treat you

like a criminal. I just wanted to help if you needed it.”

Josefina smiled. "Selah, I know you're only looking out for me because of Oliver. Thank you."

She found Selah kind of adorable, actually.

Josefina shot Darren a quick text.

A minute later, Darren showed up with his shaved head and naturally intimidating

face—he looked more like a gangster than a federal agent.

"Josefina, there you are! I was just about to get the car and pick you up," Darren said, his usual sternness melting into a goofy grin that made him look almost suspicious

Selah stared, feeling like she'd just stepped into an alternate universe.

"Darren, you can actually smile? I always thought you were allergic to happiness!"