Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 344

If it hadn’t been for Larissa’s foresight, Sapphira would have lost a finger—the very one that held their wedding ring.

After composing himself, Neville started the car, but then paused. A thought struck him, and he shut the engine off again. He got out and walked decisively toward the east wing villa.

...

Larissa sat on the edge of her bed, gently stroking Sage, who lay beside her. Even Shadow, who usually only approached her for a specific purpose, was now pressed against her other side, as if sensing her turmoil.

Nightveil had called earlier to inform her that her father hadn't gone to rest with her mother, but had instead returned to the Judson estate. Standing by her window with a pair of binoculars, Larissa had watched the entire scene unfold at the west wing villa, understanding perfectly what Neville had come back to do.

For a fleeting moment, she felt a pang of guilt, as if her arrival had shattered the peaceful life her new parents once had.

Just then, a soft knock came at her door, followed by Neville’s voice. “Larissa, are you asleep?”

Larissa’s hand stilled. She looked up in surprise at the closed door, then quickly hopped off the bed. Forgetting her slippers, she ran to open it. She looked up at the tall, handsome man, a faint scent of blood still clinging to him.

“Dad? It’s so late. Shouldn’t you be with Mom? Is there something you need?”

For some reason, a sliver of fear crept into her heart—the fear that he would tell her he regretted adopting her.

Neville saw the apprehension in her eyes and felt a wave of relief that he had come back. No matter how strong she appeared, she was still just a young woman in her early twenties. The hardships she had endured for the past two decades had forced her to build a fortress around herself, but moments of vulnerability, like this one, were inevitable.

He reached out and gently ruffled her hair. “Your mother is safe, Larissa. And it’s all thanks to you.”

A hint of a blush touched Neville’s cheeks. He coughed awkwardly into his fist. “Well, if I wasn’t, your mother wouldn’t have given me a second look.”

He had suddenly become quite pleased with himself.

“Okay, Dad, you should go be with Mom now,” Larissa urged.

“Right.” Neville nodded and turned to leave.

As she watched him walk away from the east wing villa, Larissa went back inside her room. Just as she closed the door, the doorbell rang.