Sky couldn''t remember many things from their childhood, but he remembered that bracelet on Sierra''s wrist clearly. He also remembered that moment exactly as


    she described it. Every detail matched.


    Overwhelmed with guilt, Sky knew he couldn''t change the past or undo what he had done as a child. All he could do now was sincerely apologize.


    Sierra quickly stood and helped him up. "Mr. Walker, there''s no need to apologize. That was a long time ago. I didn''t mean to bring all that up to make you feel bad. It''s just our first time seeing each other as adults.


    "It came to mind, and I blurted it all out. Think of it as old friends catching up, and please don''t be like that. You''re making me feel even more unsettled."


    Once she helped him up, she gently let go and motioned for him to sit. "Please, Mr. Walker."


    Sky sat down again, momentarily at a loss for words.


    Sierra poured him another drink and raised his ss. "Mr. Walker, a toast to you."


    "It should be me toasting you," Sky replied, lifting his own ss. "For what I did back then-being unreasonable, using my status-I owe you an apology, Ms. Remington."


    "Let''s not go back and forth on who owes who," Sierra said with a light smile. "You''ve seen the documents I wanted to show you. You know what I''m asking for.


    "I came to you because I trust you. You were the first person who showed me kindness when I was just a scared little girl. You offered me your hand.


    "You made me apologize back then, yes, but that was because you were protecting your sister. If I had a younger sibling, I''d have done the same.


    "So please don''t feel guilty. It''s been so many years. I''d just like to be honest from the start. I''d rather not wait until things are halfway through to bring up the past."


    She raised her ss again. "Mr. Walker, to you."


    Sky clinked his ss with hers. "To us."


    They both drained their sses in one go.


    "My divorce case is being handled by Mr. Watson, the attorney Natalie rmended. He''ll be speaking with Samuel soon," Sierra exined.


    "Before my divorce is finalized, I need the materials I showed you to remain secure. Mr. Walker, will you help me with this?"


    Sky nodded. "Alright. I''ll help you."


    "I do have one more request." Sierra looked at him a little cautiously. "Would you be willing to help me make an introduction?"


    "Go ahead, Ms. Remington."


    "I''d like to enter the entertainment industry," Sierra said seriously. "I n to settle here in Dithoria with my parents, and I need a job.


    "Back when I was abroad, I really enjoyed acting. But Samuel didn''t let me step into the spotlight. He only wanted me to be a housewife.


    "But now that we''re divorcing-though my parents gave me plenty of money-l still have to n for the future.


    "Having a career means having a sense of independence. I''d like you to introduce me to your brother, Lincoln Walker. I want to sign with his agency and be one of his signed celebrities."


    Sky didn''t hesitate. Helping her get in touch with Lincoln wasn''t a big deal.


    Whether anything came of it afterward would be up to her and Lincoln.


    "Alright. I''ll arrange a meeting with Lincoln for you," he agreed. "And I''ll think over what you said. I''ll prepare a n and send it to you.


    "Ms. Remington, I''m still sorry for how I treated you as a kid."


    "Mr. Walker, it''s like you said it all happened during our childhood. We were all immature, so it''s perfectly understandable."


    What Sierra wanted was exactly this—his guilt.


    Sure enough, after bringing up the past, whether Sky remembered it all or not, he clearly felt guilty.


    That guilt would make him more


    agreeable to future meetings, future


    favors. And once she tied herself to


    It


    him through shared interests, it was


    only a matter of time before th


    Walker family became her backing.  s<fn84db> Content originallyes from FindN()vel</fn84db>


    As long as there was profit involved or she could bring in money for the Walker


    family—they would make sure to protect her. There was no question about it.


    If the Walkers protected her, they would naturally protect her parents as well.


    In Dithoria, the only family more powerful than the Walkers was the


    Holden family. But Marcus wasn''t someone she could get close to? easily. He drew sharp lines, and he meant them. Crossing those boundaries, even slightly, would only end badly for her.  s


    Still, Marcus had married Natalie, the Walker family''s true heiress. Natalie was Sophia''s friend. And Sky, out of guilt toward. Sophia and Nata would be more inclined to look after their friend as well.  s


    tos


    Sierra had nned it all with precision. By bringing everything up tonight, she had triggered exactly what she wanted-Sky''s guilt.


    And that was the entire reason she had met with him in the first ce.


    "Then, it''s settled. Once everything''s arranged, I''ll contact you." Sky didn''t insist


    on more apologies. What was done was done. A thousand apologies wouldn''t erase the past.


    What he could do now was help her however he could.


    "Thank you," Sierra said, her eyes crinkling into a smile. "Mr. Walker, another toast."


    "Of course."


    As the evening went on, both of them gradually rxed. The alcohol helped, and conversation flowed more easily.


    By the end of the meal, they had both had quite a bit to drink. Neither of them was fit to drive.


    Sky called the Walker family driver and told Sierra to wait. When the driver arrived, he took her home first.


    Sierra didn''t object. She stood quietly by the sidewalk, asionally lifting her hand to make strange little poses under the streetlights. After each one, she giggled to herself like a little kid.


    Sky stood nearby, watching her. His gaze grew distant.


    For a moment, she reminded him of Emma.


    He thought back to the nights he used to take Emma out. She would make those


    same weird, cute gestures under the lights,ughing just like this.


    But Emma was gone now.


    And every time he thought of theirst moment together, Sky felt a sharp, deep ache in his chest.


    If only he hadn''t said what he did that day, maybe she would still be alive.


    Even a life sentence could be shortened with good behavior. There would have been hope.


    Sierra suddenly turned around and grinned at him. "Sky, do I look pretty right now?"


    Sky was taken aback. "What did you just call me?"


    Sierra tilted her head to the side, her eyes yful but a little confused. "Sky. You


    said I could call you that when we were kids."