e my leave now."

He was about to say something when Henry stopped him. 'Your mother and I have finished talking anyway. I guess I'll take my le He strolled out of the room with a nonchalant air

He paused at the doorway. "Take care, Charlotte. I'll come and see you again soon."

Charlotte closed her eyes and ignored him.

Henry left with Sebastian

Austyn closed the door.

Charlotte's shoulders sagged.

She let out a sigh of relief.

Austyn pulled up a chair and sat next to the bed, holding Charlotte's hand.

Kira met up with Giana at a side gate of Stamford University.

She was afraid of bumping into Gideon at the main gate.

Gideon seemed to have a way of knowing where she was.

At times, Kira would get the paranoid feeling that she was being followed

She was dressed in black from head to toe, with the hood pulled over her head and a big pair of sunglasses perched on her nose bridge.

"Who are you dodging? The paparazzi?' Giana laughed at her getup.

'No one.

Kira looked both ways before pulling Glana to sit down on a bench.

'So, you've finally made up your mind?'

Kirs nodded. "I think you and Austyn are both right. I can't juggle school and pregnancy at the same time. And I don't think I'll like all the questions from my classmates once my bump starts to show' "Good to ser

see you've come to your senses' Glana poked Kira's forehead with a finger. "We could have done this the last time, but you ran away." "Sorry about that,"

"Never mind. At least I got the hot water issue fixed.' Gians took in Kira's oversized hoodie. "Don't you think it's too early to start wearing maternity clothes?" "This is not maternity clothes! Kira protested, 'It's just normal clothes." 'Really? Then what's this?' Giana pointed to the kangaroo pocket. 'You can hide a watermelon in there."

It's comfortable. Kira defended her fashion choice. "And warm."

"Whatever. "Glana sighed. 'I still can't believe you're going to have a baby. Things are just moving so fast."

"I know, Kira felt the same way. 'Speaking of starting a family, when are you and Noah planning to get married?" 'After graduation.'

"Doh, that's less than a year away. Kira cupped her face in her hands. "You better statt planning the wedding." Don't Shoot The Messenger

"Se soon?" Giana shookherhead. "Nah, l'an not doing anything till two months before the wedding "

Two months?' za raised her voice. 'Are you insane?'

What? Two months is more than enough time to plan a party.

Kira colled her eyes. 'Your wedding is NOT a party!"

"Isn't it just a gathering of a bunch of people you know? If that's not a party, then what is?"

Kramas at a loss for words. 'It'sa.it's a celebration!"

A celebration can still be a party, right? There will be music and food and booze and dancing, I think that's the definition of a pany."

Glar stood up. 'Come on. Let's not dawdle, we can still catch Mr Lance If we hurry."

Kisafollowed her. 'Don't try and change the subject! You can't honestly believe you can plan a wedding in just two months!' 'Why not?"

There are just so many things to think about! The venue, for one. Have you guys decided on a place?"

IND.

Ooh, have an idea! How about the Randolph House? It's one of the oldest buildings in Stamford. It has a neoclassical design Mrtance was behind his desk

When he saw Kira, he whipped out the same form again without a word.

Kira filled it out while Glana guarded the door, making sure she wasn't about to do another runner.

Kiraslid the completed form across the desk

McLance's hand remained outstretched.

He looked at her

She looked back, confused

"I'm sorry?

"And where's your doctor's note?"

""What?"

without a doctor's note

Mi Lance tapped a finger on the desk. I can't approve your application without a d

""Uh, I don't I don't have one.

Then you better go get one. Mr Lance slid the form back across the desk

Kira wrung her hands..

"Come on.'Canatook hold of her hand.

"Where are we going?'

"To the hospital, of course."

They went to see Dr Lynch again and got the note after two hours

"Thanks, Diana. Kira came out of the associate dean's office.

"Don't mention it. Did you bring a suitcase? We need to pack up your stuff in the dorm room.

They returned to the domitory.This belongs to - ©.

Kira didn't have many belongings there, just some clothes and tesletries and books.

The packing took less than ten micates,

Diana walked with her to the main gate and gave her a ling. Take care of yourself, okay?'

"will" Kira was grateful for having diana by her side.

She was the best kind of friend anyone could hope for.

Glana would have stayed with Kira, but an urgent call from a classinate summoned her away.

'Sorry, potta mm Prof Robinson's doing roll call right now,'

'Go. You don't want to get in the professor's black books"

"Call me when you want to meet clana was already jogging away.

Professor Hobinson was a stickler for males and frowned on anyone who skipped herclass.

Kira stood in the kerbside, waiting for a taxi to show.

A car rolled to a stop in front of her.

She stepped back and was immediately on guard.

She recognised the flashy car.

She only knew of one person who drove a candy-red Bentley, and it was not a person she wanted to keep in touch with.

The driver's side window rolled down

Liam's handsome but obnoxious face revealed itself.

'small world."

'No, it's not. You know I go to school here. Kira moved back another step and put the suitcase in front of her like a shield. Was Liam stalking her?

She scanned the surroundings.

It was mid-afternoon.

The street bustled with students.

She would be safe in the crowd.

Kira started wallding.

Liam shot out of the cat and was in front of her the next instant.

'In a hurry? I can give you a lift."

'Get out of my way!' Kira shot him a dirty look

The main gate was manned by two security guards.

Kira could call for help if Liam got aggressive.

She wasn't afraid of him; she just didn't want to talk to him.

Liam put up both hands in a gesture of surrender. 'Relax. I won't do anything to you.'

Kira stepped around him but he caught up with her quickly. 'What did I do? why are you avoiding me like the plague?'

"You're worse than the plague!' Kira spat our the words. 'You're a murderer!"

"Wait!' Liam blocked her path. "What are you talking about?"

'Don't you have any sense of shame?

"What?' He frowned.

'Drop the act! You're not that good an actor, you know.' Kira pushed past him.

'Hey!' Liam grabbed her wrist. 'What do you mean?"

'Let go of me!' Kira shook off his hand. "And leave me alone!"

"I will when you tell me what the hell is going on. Liam stood in front of her. 'I helped you out the last time. Why are you treating me like the enemy?" 'Help?' Kira's eyebrows shot up. You call that help?"

'I gave you Deborah's address, didn't I? If you argued with Austyn because of that, you shouldn't take it out on me. Don't shoot the messenger, you know." Kira wanted to pick up her suitcase and hurl it at the man. Instead, she took a deep breath. "You never give eup, do you?!

'Give up what?'

"Trying to drive a wedge between me and Austyn. You hate him because you think you've suttered so much. You want to take revenge on all members of the McCarthy family. But have you ever considered what Austyn had to do with any of it?" Liam's brows were deeply furrowed. "His mother caused the-

"Are you going to say his mother caused the death of yours?' Kira cut him off. 'But you have no evidence. Besides, even if you do, shouldn't you take sevenge on the real murderer?"

Barking Up The Wrong Tree

ra had been sceptical when Liam first told her about his mother's death

After getting to know Charlotte, Kica was more convinced that 1am had gotten it wrong

There was no way the gentle and soft-spoken Charlotte could be capable of murder.

Austyn has nothing to do with your mother's death, you're bading up the wrong tree here!

Lamitted his teeth. 'He's your husband. Of course you'll take his side."

Kira shook her head. "This has nothing to do with him being my husband. I'm on the side of truth.

Liam coded. 'What makes you think you alone knew the truth?"

"That's irrelevant. I'm not here to argue with you about who killed your mother. As her son, you have the right to seek justice for her. I'm not stopping you. But I'm telling you, you've got the wrong guy. Austyn's innocent. Your attack on him is despicable.