Chapter 18

Having sensed Winona's somber mood, Christian, with a decisive gesture, sent her and their parents off to Miranda's hometown, Shadowbrook, for a much-needed change of pace. He had initially planned for Dakota to join them as well, but since she was feeling under the weather, she had to stay behind to rest. Christian, for his part, naturally stayed behind to look after Dakota and, by extension, prevent Joseph from reaching Winona. … In the meantime, Kevin's delayed intel meant that Joseph persisted in his old strategy of trying to intercept Winona by appearing at every possible social gathering. He spent his first attempt enduring the cold in the square all night. He not only failed to see Winona for the fireworks but also got soaked in the rain. Unsurprisingly, he fell ill. Yet, this time, Winona, who would carefully tend to him and wipe off his sweat through the night, was no longer by his side. His second attempt led him to a bar, the kind of place he utterly loathed. It was a