?Chapter 364:


    But then Lily spoke again, her voice quiet but firm. “But, Makenna, I really don’t want to leave the pce. I want to stay here, with you. I can’t bear to be away.”


    Hearing her unwavering refusal, I couldn’t help but sigh under my breath.


    Since Lily had set her heart on staying, I made the choice not to press the matter of her leaving any further.


    Afterward, it was as if a light switch had flipped inside her. All the shadows of frustration and gloom that had weighed her down seemed to vanish. With a newfound brightness, she said with enthusiasm, “Tonight, I’m going to make a delicious midnight snack to make up for the disaster that dinner was.” Alice and I exchanged puzzled nces, surprised by Lily’s sudden transformation, but we couldn’t help feeling happy that she was open to reconciling with us.


    That night, Lily’s culinary talents truly lived up to her promise.


    The table wasden with dishes so savory and delightful that they not only filled our bellies but somehow seemed to soothe the weariness in our souls.


    As we gathered around the table, the sound ofughter and lively conversation flowed freely, as though all the bitterness from before had been swept away, leaving behind nothing but warmth.


    The following morning brought unexpected news. Connolly and Irene were being transferred to a distant, far-off prison.


    I hesitated for a moment, uncertainty gnawing at me, but I eventually decided to visit them again before they were transferred. Perhaps I could glean some useful information from the encounter.


    Makenna’s POV:


    Alice, clearly uneasy about me going alone, insisted on apanying me to the prison.


    When we arrived, we saw Connolly, Irene, and Jessica being herded into a van by soldiers in the distance.


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    Even in their wretched state, they refused to behave, thrashing and hurling curses like venom from a snake’s fangs. Their voices pierced the air, vile and unrelenting.


    “Makenna! You witch! I won’t let you get away with this!”


    “It’s all that bitch Makenna’s fault! She ruined me! Let me out! Let me out!”


    Alice, usuallyposed, finally snapped and stepped forward. “Haven’t you cursed enough? You got exactly what you deserve!” she shouted back, unable to contain her anger any longer.


    When Irene and Jessica caught sight of me, their faces twisted with fury, and their insults intensified.


    “Makenna, you devil! I’ll haunt you to the grave! Just wait and rot in hell!” Irene shrieked.


    I met their rage with an icy smirk. “I’m afraid you won’t have that chance.”


    “Bitch! Filthy whore! I’ll kill you!” Jessica screeched, her eyes wild with madness. She suddenly broke free from the soldiers’ grip, charging at me like a beast unleashed, spewing venomous words as she lunged.


    But the soldiers were faster, tackling her to the ground. They kicked her, pinning her down while shouting, “Calm down, or we’ll beat you within an inch of your life!”


    Jessica screamed, her head buried in her hands, writhing in pain as the blows rained down.


    I spared her no more attention and walked toward Connolly, my focus sharp as a de.


    His eyes met mine briefly, then darted away as if my gaze burned him.


    “Dad,” I began, my voice steady and direct. “You’re about to be taken away. Isn’t it time to tell the truth?”


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