Chapter 993

Finley was sweating bullets as he plopped down next to Livia on the well-worn couch.

"Livia, I..."

"Aren't you supposed to be with Shay? Aren't you worried about messing up Josie's plan by running over here? Finley, you're like a bull in a china shop!"

Finley's face lit up despite Livia's scolding. "Livia, you're actually talking to me!"

Looking utterly exasperated, Livia shot him a look that could wilt flowers. "I'm just worried you'll muck up Josie's plan!"

Finley scratched his head awkwardly, as if trying to brush off the tension clinging to him like a bad sweater.

"I'm heading back now, Livia. Don't worry. For you, I'll definitely keep my nose clean!"

And with that, Finley made a hasty retreat.

Livia was left speechless. "What's his deal? He could streak down Main Street, and it wouldn't mean a thing to me!"

Josefina, lounging nearby, simply chuckled, choosing not to comment-especially when it came to matters of the heart.

...

Finley spent the whole day dragging Shay around town until he was sure his feet had blisters the size of quarters.

Soon enough, the day came for Shay to head back.

Shay was a bundle of nerves. "My mom's gone, right? So, isn't this whole mess over? Why are they keeping me here, Finley? Help me out, will you?"

"Shay, this isn't about Sydney anymore; it's about you. Sydney's slate might be wiped clean, but what about your part in all this? With nobody left to testify, do you really think you can just walk away?"

Shay fidgeted like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

She had her fingers in quite a few pies, and the police were starting to piece things together. As long as she pinned everything on Dominic, she might just slip through the net.

"Shay, this is your shot. If you don't make a move, there's nothing more I can do."

Shay nodded, a barely audible sound escaping her lips.

Just as she was about to enter the room, she froze at the sound of voices inside. Dominic was rolling over on her, spilling every secret under the sun.

Finley lingered at the door, a sly grin playing on his lips before he vanished without a trace.

Feigning concern, he said, "Shay, I told you to act fast. Now Dominic's turning you in, so you better think carefully."

As he turned to leave, Shay grabbed his arm, her eyes wide with desperation. "I

have something big to say. I'm going to expose Dominic's crimes."

Her revelation was like dropping a bomb in a glass shop-shattering and impossible to ignore.

...

Josefina and Oliver were thoroughly entertained by the unfolding drama.

Josefina was sprawled comfortably on Oliver's office couch, bundled up in a cozy throw, her phone lighting up her face as she laughed.

"Shay and Dominic are at each other's throats like cats and dogs The more dirt they dish, the longer they be in the slammer. Desperate times, desperate measures

Both were scrambling to save their own skins; it was just a matter of who sang the loudest.

Oliver handed Josefina a steaming

mug of hot cocoa. "The higher-ups must have thrown them under the

bus That

the only reason

Dominic's suddenly talking."

Josefina nodded in agreement, her mind aligning with Oliver's assessment.

Her gaze wandered outside, where the wind howled and the sky brooded darkly.

Holding the warm mug, Josefina felt the heat seep into her palms, and she relished

it.

She loved the warmth of the mug and the man beside her.

Setting the mug down, Josefina wrapped her warm hands around Oliver's.

"Oliver, I've decided. I'm going to have the baby."

Oliver's eyes widened, disbelief and joy mingling in his expression.

He took her hands in his, pulling her into a tight embrace, his voice thick with emotion. "Really? You really mean it?"