After a prolonged silence, it was Owen Lancaster's mother who broke the eerie stillness first. She smiled and said, "Sera, now, will you still refuse to do what I’ve asked?"

The conversation circled back to the original request.

Serena Harper raised her lips into a smile—subtle and restrained, yet tinged with fatigue and bitterness.

What exactly did she owe this mother and son? Had Owen’s torment not been enough? Now his mother was adding threats ...