After dropping Dn off, ra headed back home and quickly texted Z.


    "Hey, I''m going shopping tomorrow. Want me to pick up some couple stuff? Like mugs or toothbrushes?"


    The reply was instant, like he was holding his phone, waiting.


    "Sure thing."


    Maybe he thought he sounded too blunt because another message followed soon after.


    "I''m really happy about that."


    ra smiled to herself. Just as she settled into bed, her phone rang. It was Calix.


    Hugh had been moved to a bigger hospital that morning, but his condition hadn''t changed.


    "ra, June''s still waiting on you."


    ra had been trying to get updates about the prison situation for the past few days, but the Bradfords were strictly a business family with no reach into such matters.


    She couldn''t go to Scarlette again, since Scarlette''s ties with the Greenards wereplicated.


    And Dn was in the middle of her own redemption, not in a position to owe anyone more favors.


    After mulling it over, she realized Simon was her only shot.


    Simon had been lying lowtely.


    She called him right away, and his voice sounded rough, like he''d been through the wringer.


    ra didn''t pry. "Do you have any pull at Twin Rivers Prison? I need to bring someone for a visit."


    Simon jumped up despite the fresh blood on his back fromying down for hours. ra rarely called, so he forced himself to rally.


    "I do. Getting in is a breeze with the Fergusons'' connections, but you gotta let me tag along."


    ra agreed and quickly informed June.


    At ten that night, Simon''s car rolled up right on time outside her building.


    As she got in, she noticed his hands looked shaky on the wheel.


    "What''s up with you?"


    Simon''s lips were pale. "I... never mind, you''ll see tomorrow."


    ra wasn''t invested in his drama and nodded offhandedly. "Alright."


    When they pulled up at Twin Rivers Prison, June was already there, having rushed over with trembling hands.


    Seeing ra, she almost dropped to her knees.


    ra quickly steadied her. "Let''s go in. Your husband''s probably waiting."


    June wiped her tears and adjusted the bundle she was carrying.


    Thest letter from South Ashford had mentioned being hungry and beaten, so she brought plenty of food.


    The three of them waited in a room, June anxiously twisting the fabric of her dress, eyes red, eager to see South Ashford.


    They hadn''t seen each other in years, and now, faced with the reunion, she was at a loss for words.


    Watching her, ra felt a tug at her heartstrings.


    Simon, clueless about who June was, leaned against the wall, beads of sweat dotting his forehead. ra caught a strong whiff of blood from him.


    But since Simon kept quiet, so did she.


    After ten minutes, the door swung open.


    "Who''s here for South Ashford?"


    June''s eyes lit up, and she shakily stood. "Me, I am... where is he?"


    The officer''s face was full of regret. "I''m sorry to say, South Ashford passed away half an hour ago."


    June wobbled, clutching the wall. "No, no, I need to see him. Let me see him just once more. I brought his favorite meat pies. He won''t go hungry now."


    The officer stepped back. "He truly passed. We''re here to have you im the body. It''s in the morgue now."


    Hearing this, ra hurried to support June.


    She expected June to faint, but instead, she closed her eyes tight, tears streaming down her cheeks.


    "Please, take me to the morgue."


    ra felt the weight of shock and sadness on the way there, the car ride heavy with silence.


    Upon arrival, ra helped June out.


    June stumbled, nearly hitting her head on a sharp stone.


    ra shielded her with her hand, scraping it in the process.


    But June didn''t see, her vision blurred with tears as she stumbled forward, ra trailing behind.


    Standing before South Ashford''s body, June gingerly pulled back the white sheet.


    She thought she''d aged over the years, but South Ashford looked even older, gaunt, and worn from hardship.


    Seeing this, June broke down, hugging the body, crying in silence, as if words had left her.


    "Ahhhhh! Ahhhhh!"


    She shook South Ashford''s body, tears falling, but the dead could no longer respond.


    ra stood behind June, seething at Quinn''s heartlessness.


    His selfishness had dragged two good people into hell.


    June, exhausted, slumped to her knees beside the bed, crying with her thin hands, veins popping.


    ra wanted tofort her but felt choked with regret, wishing she''d acted sooner. Maybe June could''ve seen South Ashford onest time.


    June, after crying,posed herself, covered South Ashford''s body, then turned and bowed to ra.


    ra was startled, almost kneeling in response.


    "June, I''m sorry. I was toote."


    June shook her head silently, pointing to her throat.


    Grief can indeed rob someone of their voice.


    She wanted to console ra but couldn''t say a word, only pointing to her throat, shaking her head.


    ra felt a sharp pang in her heart, the pain overwhelming.