?<strong>Chapter 988:</strong>


    “My bad.”


    Rnd nced at Lucas. Lucas extended his fist, offering a truce. Though reluctant, Rnd bumped it, the motion cold but acknowledging.


    “I’m heading back overseas soon, and I’m leaving everything here in your hands. Aurora’s going off to college. I won’t be around to send her off, so I’m leaving her to you.”


    Rnd barely registered the words. It wasn’t his problem. He muttered indifferently, “Okay.”


    “And Molly always worries her parents. If she messes up, can you put in a good word for her?”


    “I’m not begging for that brat.”


    Lucas smiled. “If you start seeing us as friends, as family, Molly will eventuallye around too.”


    The truth was, Rnd had never considered them as family.


    The only reason he came back with Joelle was because Wade had wanted him to live a quiet, normal life.


    And he had nowhere else to go, so he just came with Joelle.


    Lucas’ words cut through him, tightening his jaw. He clenched his fist, the raw anger bubbling beneath his skin.


    How could he ever consider them family? They were the same people who had killed his uncle. They were the same people who were trying to tear him away from his father.


    “You’re not me, so stop meddling,” Rnd muttered, pushing himself off the floor and heading towards the changing room for a shower.


    By the time they returned, the vi was eerily silent.


    They went to their separate rooms. Rnd, however,y in his bed, restless, sleep refusing toe.


    He pulled out Katie’s picture, his fingers brushing over the edges of the photo.


    He’d never felt this close to her.


    If he suddenly appeared in front of her now, she’d be shocked. She’d regret turning her back on him.


    His eyes drifted over the photo, sleep slowly overtaking him, the world blurring around the edges.


    But then, a soft voice drifted up from outside. He rose, slipping out onto the balcony. It was Aurora, standing just next door, engrossed in her phone call.


    She was too absorbed to notice him watching from the shadows.


    Dunn had asked to hear her voice, and she had called him.


    “You hear it now? Go to sleep.”


    Dunn’s voice came through,ced with frustration. “I can’t sleep.”


    “Ack of sleep will age you.”


    “Then let’s age together.”


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