The wait for the DNA results was agonizing. To make matters worse, an urgent issue hade up at thepany, so Shanley hadn''t been able to fly back.


    Juniper tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. Just as her frustration peaked, the door opened and the bedroom lights flicked on.


    Juniper sat up instantly, clutching the nket, her eyes fixed on the man who had just returned home. Her gaze was resentful, cold enough to freeze him on the spot. She didn''t say a word, but her stare was fierce—and, somehow, a little adorable.


    "I''m sorry I''mte," Shanley said, immediately shrugging off his coat. He walked to the bed, sat on the edge, and gently pulled her into his arms.


    Juniper kept her face cold, refusing to acknowledge him.


    "I brought you a roasted sweet potato," he offered, pulling the steaming, fragrant treat from his pocket. A grin touched his lips. "It''s really sweet. Want to try some?”


    Her expression softened slightly, and she lifted her chin with an air of haughty pride, assuming the posture of a princess waiting to be served.


    ying along, Shanley picked up a spoon and began feeding her small, deliberate bites.


    "I''m in a bad mood," she finally murmured after a few mouthfuls, her voice fragile. So many things were weighing on her, and she had no one to vent to. Only Shanley. And he hadn''t been there.


    "I know." Shanley''s brow furrowed. He thought for a moment before his voice grew heavy. "I was supposed to be back sooner to be with you, but who knew..."


    Juniper looked at him, confused.


    "Warren must have lost his mind. Heunched apletely unprovoked, surprise attack on one of Sigma Network''s bases.”


    Just mentioning it made Shanley''s anger re. "In the past, I would have solved this by setting off a few ''fireworks'' over Liberty Ind.”


    He met her gaze, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from her forehead. "But things are different now," he said softly. "Your sister is on that ind, and Warren is your brother-inw."


    It was a ssic case of friendly fire, family turning against family. He''d already blown up the man''s precious medicinal nts once; he couldn''t exactly act with the same recklessness again. So, in the face of Warren''s attack, all he could do was swallow the loss.


    The men at Sigma Network were gossiping again, wondering if their boss had fallen for another big shot from Liberty stand. It was the only time he ever seemed to back down


    "Good thing you didn''t set off any fireworks, Juniper said, still nibbling on her sweet potato, a wave of relief washing over her "Ort wouldn''t have a sister anymore."


    "Exactly." Shanley''s gaze softened as he watched her. "If Celine really is your sister," he asked gently, "what''s your n?"


    If that were the case, things would get much moreplicated. Warren was Juniper''s enemy, and Warren was his enemy. And from what he could tell, Warren seemed like the type to had a grudge. He wondered if the man would stand in the way of a family reunion.


    "I know what you''re getting at," Juniper said, looking down at her food. She


    mumbled, “Warren ispletely whipped. He''s not a threat.”


    "Whipped?" Shanley had never seen Warren and Celine together, and the description surprised him.


    “What?” Juniper looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Is that word new to you?"


    Shanley didn''t dare respond. Whipped. Oh, he understood perfectly.


    The next day, Juniper tried to focus on her research into hypnotherapy, but her mind


    was elsewhere, anxiously awaiting the DNA results.


    Finally, at three in the afternoon, her phone rang. It was Harold.


    "Juniper, the results are in."


    "tter."


    The pen slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor. She struggled to keep her voice steady. "What''s the answer?"


    Harold''s voice was heavy. "She—”