He once joked that if he had anew life, he would be anything but a polar bear or a penguin.

Kira wondered where Dad was right nos.

Was he already queuring up at Heaven's gate, waiting to be admitted, or was his spirit still howding in this room, watching her?

Austyn nodded. 'okay. I'll make arrangements for the funeral

Kica's pace eatened to Leland's face.

"There's not going to be a wake. I don't want anyone at his funeral. Dad likes-she choked back a sob-ked to lead a quiet fife. All our friends and relatives have disowned on anyway."

Ad for Helen, Kira didn't need to see her mother crocodile tears

Leland's body was crated in the afternoon.

The funeral director came out of the crematorium and handed Kia a small um

Her hands shook as she took the white ceramicum

Dad was 17etall, slightly underweight belee the car accident

His muscles at ophted during the two years of lying unconscious in a hospital bed, but he still retained his height,

But now, he was reduced to a pile of ashes that could be inte such a small um

The image of the hormos incling marks on his chest flashed before her eyes.

Kira felt sick

Austyn wward the funeral director away

Kira came out of the funeral parlour, holding the or with both hands

The slay was still crying, shedding tears for her since she was no longer capable of doing so.

Ka, we should get you to a hospital

Aasiyn hold an umbrella for her

He was worded about her and the baby.

The day had been an impossible ordeal for her.

Kira stepped away from him. "No

Austyn watched her walk into the rain.

She stopped on the side of the road and waited

'Kira, what are you doing? Austyn caught up with her.

"Leaving "She didn't look at him.

"Where are you going?"

"That's none of your business"

"We should go home !

shook off his hand. 'I'm not bringing my father's ashes into your house. He won't want to have anything to do with a McCarthy." The rain started to pickup.

The drizzle armed into a downpour in a matter of seconds.

Austyn held the umbrella over her while his body was drenched

"It's not just my house.' He had to shout to be heard above the rain.

Big fat drops of rain pelted his shoulders and arms.

It's your home too, kiral

She shook her head. "Not anymore."

I'm not my father, Kira! Austyn grabbed her shoulder and refused to let her look away from him. 'Thate him as much as you do!' Kira just stood there le a marionette. Rain streamed down her face.

"I promise I'll seek justice for your father! Kira, please listen to me! Please, just come home with me!

The was too tired to even shake her head.

She could barely lift her eyelids.

Justice?

She stretched her lips into amitless smile

'How do you plan to get justice when the murderer is your father? Are you going to kill him?

Kira stared wacantly at the rain.

Stop lying to me. Haven't you done enough of that already?!

Austyn stared straight at her. If you want me to kill him, I will.

His words struck her like a belt of electric shock

Masruddered

"You've got to believe me. I do anything for you! He moved in closer. 'Flease, just come home with me, okay? we can work this out

Kia jest shack her head. 'Na!

Her father would never rost in peace inside a McCarthy's house

Austyn serned what she was thinking

we don't have to go back to the villa, We can go to a cel

Kiew clutched the urn with both hands. You still don't get it. I don't want to see your face right now. I don't want to have anything to do with you. Just leave me As pulled up.

Kira sprinted towardi

She part the backsear and within seconds, the tax drowe ott.

Aunty Bng the umbrella aside.

Hehusened to the Hose and started the car

He chased alter the tal, not dating to take his eyes off it

"Max, where to? The driver asked without toming around. "I don't. I don't know, Kina stared blankly at the tain outside

Nowhere To Gio

The fandriver nodded sympathetically.

He'd caught sight of the um in herhands

Besides, the girl had just left a funeral parbour

He could interwhat happened.

"Il just drive in the general direction of downtown, then. Let me know once you have an address

for tried to think of a place her father would like.

But Stamford wasn't Leland Hewitt

He'd only moved here for Ki

For him, he was Milion, but the town was more than two thousand idiometres away,

Kita cuded up in the backseat, hugging the am to her chest.

When her phone vibrated in her pocket, she took it out, ready to toss it not the window if Austyn was calling.

Kira burst into tears the moment she answered the phone, Mana!!

'Kiza? Kisa, is that you? What's wrong?"

'My father. He's gone..."

Trasat on the sofa with her knees drawn up and the um next to lier.

She refused to let it out of her sight.

Giana come out of the kitchen, carrying a mug of hot chocolate.

She set it down on a glass coffee table gently.

'Hese, drinktus." exclusive content.

Kira membled a "thankyou."

diana took in her friend's dishevelled state. "You should take a shower. Let's get you out of those wet clothes!

Kira held the mug with both hands

Warmth radiated from her palma.

But before she could put the mug up to her mouth, Kira was setzed by a wave of nausea.

She set down the mug in a burry and dashed into the bathroom

Giana sint to her feet and followed her

Kira knelt on the floor in front of the collet and dry-heaved,

There was nothing in her stomach for her to throw up...

Glana helped hertoberfest.

Kinaried her mouth with tap water,

'Stay here," Glan said, 'I'll bring you a fresh change of clothes.

Kira nodded.

he was too weak to move, anyway.

Glasrama bath for Kira and checked the water temperature before leaving,

She closed the door on her way yout and let out a sigh.

Then she picked up a straight umbrella and went downstales

The Hummer was still there.

I was there halt anhour ago when Glana came down to pick up Kira.

Now, Itermined where it was and showed no signs of leaving.

Giana approached the car red tapped on the driver's side window.

The tinted glass mulled down, revealing Austyn's haud face

He stared at her with bloodshot eyes.

The stubble on his chin was more than two days old.

The usually well-pot-together president wore a wet an umpled suit jacori

He looked weary and bedraggled, in a worse state than Kira,

(!ciana was a 'Mr McCarthy." should go home."

alittle scared by

y the man's unblanking state.

I just wanted

tell

Il you that Kira's staying with me tonight. It's getting late. Perhaps yoni

She added after spause, Don't worry, I'll take good care of her."

Austyn's voice was a scratchy whisper. "What is she doing right now?"

"She's taking a bath 11 put her to bed later. Maybe a couple of melatonin pills will help her sleep better"

'No, don't give her medication. She's pregnant. The doctor said she can't."Austyn closed his eyes and nodded, "pust stay with her and keep her company."

Iwill

"Thank you Austyn looked at her.

Glana waved a hand dismissively. 'She's my best friend. It's the least I could do. But I really think you should go home now!

Night had fallen.

The rain showed no signs of letting up.

Austyn nodded slightly but he made no move to start the car.

cana shred and gave up.

She did all she could.

When she returned to the apartment, Kira had come out of the showET

She was lying on her back in Cana's bed, weeping silently.

Tears stained the pillow.

Giana climbed into bed next to her and threw a comforting arm around her shoulders. 'It's okay. Go ahead and let it out. You'll feel better." Kira hugged her best friend and sobbed her heart out,

She cried herself to sleep.

When she woke up in the moming, Giana was still fast asleep next to her

Kira got out of bed and shambled out into the living mom

She found her phone on the coffee table and dialled a number.

When the call was picked up, she said a few words and hung up,

Giana padded out of the bedroom, rubbing a bleary eye.

she got washed up in the bathroom

Then she caught sight of the Hummer's distinctive holding shape when she happened to glance out the window.

"He's still are? Glana checked the time.

Austyn must have stayed in that car for the whole night.

Kirasat cross-legged on the living room sofa, hugging the um.

She didn't lookup.

Glana said. 'He was here since you came to my house last night. I thought he would have gone home by now,

She shook her head, then she drew the curtain closed.

"It rained throughout the night. I hope he didn't stay in the car all night"

Kira remained silent.

Giana came to sit beside her.

When Kira came over last night, all she said was her father had passed away.

Cana was shocked to see the ceramicum in her arms.

Kira was devastated,

It wasn't the right time for ana to ask any questions.

But now, Haseemed to have calmed down somewhat.

anasquezed her hand. 'Could you tell me what's going on?'

Kira lowered her eyes and shook her head.

She was still trying to process the nightmare,

She had no idea where to begin.

Giana decided not to push. Then, should we

I we go get some bardast? You must have skipped dinner yesterday."

She rose to befert. 'Come on, you need the calories. And the baby needs to eat, too."

Hiranodded slowly, still clutching the un

canaclapped herband, "Good. Just give me the minutes. I'll whip up some omelette. You are point

Nowhere To Go

The doorbell rang.