Dylan pulled back his shirt to show Xavier the dark bruises mottling his ribs, his voice shaking with fury. "My parents have every legal permit for this property. This land isn't even part of their resort zoning. They want to tear it down just because they feel like it! Who gave them that right? The compensation they're offering is an absolute joke. How are my parents supposed to survive? But the developers have money and connections. No one around here is willing to stand up for us."
Norah was outraged. "That's practically extortion! You need to sue them!"
Dylan offered a bitter smile. "It wouldn't do any good."
Leila, sitting beside him, muttered under her breath, "Honestly, if they just increased the payout, it wouldn't be the worst thing to..."
"I don't care how much they offer, we are not tearing it down!" Dylan snapped, cutting her off. "We already sold our family home. This B&B is all my parents have left. Where are they supposed to go if we sell?"
Leila forced an awkward smile. "I was just throwing it out there as an option."
Xavier nodded slowly. "I understand the situation. I'll figure something out."
Dylan looked down, thoroughly ashamed. "I really didn't have anyone else to turn to, Xavier. I know you're based in J City and probably don't have much reach out here in Bloomfield."
He had been absolutely desperate when he made the call.
He never expected Xavier to drop everything and drive out the very same day.
Xavier's voice was resolute. "Conner was my brother. His family is my family. Don't worry, I will handle this."
Mr. and Mrs. Donovan thanked him profusely, tears welling in their eyes.
By the time they finished talking, it was past eleven. Dylan led them upstairs and gave them two separate rooms so they could finally rest.
As they walked up the wooden stairs, Norah leaned close to Xavier and whispered, "I didn't bring any luggage!"
Xavier turned to Dylan. "Do you have any spare toiletries? We rushed out here empty-handed."
"Yes, absolutely! We might not have much, but we have plenty of basic supplies!"
Dylan quickly asked Leila to bring fresh sheets and an unopened set of toiletries to Norah's room.
Since it was a functional bed-and-breakfast, they were always stocked with the essentials.
Xavier's and Norah's rooms were right next to each other. Before stepping inside, Xavier looked at her. "Call me if you need anything."



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Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
I like how you are getting all the different love interest committed, thank you for the updates....
Hoping Manly have his own love story here, atleast a short one...
Emily has finally stood up for herself. Now with Charlie's support, her mother and sister in law will be as quiet as church mice....
Another epic ten updates... this is great! I'm sooo enjoying this. Thank you for the updates....
Thank you so much for the continuous updates......
This was soooooo sooooo good! I loved it! Thank you for the updates....
Then Melanie and Noreen will both understand that Emily is his wife, who he chooses and cares to be with. We’ve already had so much drama when Emily took off for three years hiding her pregnancy from Charlie. Emily has already confessed that the only man she loves is Kya father, which Charlie is. Now he needs to boldly claim the only woman he loves is Emily…I just had to add my two cents (he he he)....
Now Charlie needs to take Emily to the marriage office like Gabriel did with Sylvia . Reassure her that he will not take for granted. Thank you for the updates. I’m loving it....
May we please have updates. Thank you....
Wow.. finally they're married now. I thought there will be another separation....