Chapter 405

Cecilia was at a loss, seeing Erin, who had always seemed so strong and unbreakable, now in tears. "What happened?" Cecilia asked, concern lacing her voice. "Is something wrong with Jarek? I'll go check on him." As Cecilia tried to leave, Erin held her tightly, repeatedly denying, "No, it has nothing to do with Jarek." "Did he bully you?" Cecilia pressed gently. Erin shook her head and softly asked, "What are you doing here?" "I'm buying some things for Gladys," Cecilia replied, her lips pale and her eyes filled with weariness. "You're right, just being afraid alone won't solve anything. If I want to keep Gladys with me forever, I need to make some sacrifices." Erin looked at Cecilia. She was strikingly beautiful, with skin as flawless as porcelain and eyes that seemed to hold an autumn lake's depth. But within just a month, whatever methods Alston had used to torment Cecilia had left her looking even more gaunt and fragile. Erin felt as if she and Cecilia had terrible luck. One met Al