?Chapter 964:


    The Greens’ immediate pursuit of Linsey upon arrival spoke volumes. Questions would be waiting, usations likely sharpened by grief.


    Gorman had breathed hisst protecting her, after all. And Kylee, the one responsible for his death, carried the bitter irony of once being Collin’s childhoodpanion.


    Linsey’s eptance came with quiet grace. “Of course.”


    She naturally wouldn’t refuse Collin.


    Their promise echoed between them. Whatever difficulty arose, they would face it as one.


    The consequences of that terrible day belonged to both of them, and neither would flee from what must be faced.


    The Greens had chosen a discreet café known for business discussions. Linsey and Collin found the grieving parents already seated in their reserved room.


    Before Linsey could fully open the door, Gorman’s mother’s quiet weeping reached her ears, each broken sob striking her heart like a physical blow.


    Her steps faltered as sympathy washed over her face, evident in the way her features softened. Collin’s warm hand enveloped hers from behind, his silent strength grounding her faltering resolve.


    She nced back at him, managing a tremulous smile that softened the worry creasing his brow.


    After drawing a steadying breath, Linsey pushed the door open wide and stepped across the threshold.


    She greeted Bart and Alissa Green gently, her voice thick withpassion.


    In the private room’s hushed stillness, Bart cradled Alissa against him, his usuallymanding features now etched with hollow lines, worn down by days of relentless anguish and sleepless vigil.


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    Alissa’s quiet sobs punctuated the silence, her appearance more ravaged than ever. Her tear-streaked cheeks were pale, while swollen eyes and ragged breaths suggested she was teetering on the edge of copse.


    The transformation struck Linsey like a physical blow; the two pirs of strength she once knew now seemed diminished, aged by years in mere months. Pain constricted around Linsey’s chest, and moisture blurred her vision.


    At the sound of her voice, Bart and Alissa slowly lifted their heads.


    “Linsey, you came,” Alissa said, straightening up, hastily scrubbing tears from her cheeks before offering a tremulous smile.


    “Come. Have a seat.” Though her voice was warm, fresh tears gathered in the corners of her reddened eyes.


    Swallowing past the ache in her throat, Linsey crossed to the sofa and settled beside the grieving woman.


    Collin gave a subtle nod in acknowledgment before iming the seat beside Linsey.


    “Alissa…” Linsey’s voice barely escaped as a whisper, her courage faltering. How could she speak of Gorman’s fate? Recognition flickered across Alissa’s features, and new tears began to well.


    “Linsey, we’ve already heard what befell our boy.”


    Despite hearing the devastating details hours earlier, voicing the reality shattered Alissa’sposurepletely. Their son, once so full of vitality and promise— their only child—had been stolen from them.


    What parent could endure such brutal loss? Linsey’s vision blurred as tears spilled over. She pressed her lips together, fighting for control, but emotion overwhelmed her.


    “Alissa, Bart, I’m so sorry… I never imagined anything like this could happen. That knife… it was meant for me…” The words broke from Linsey’s lips, raw with guilt and grief.


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