Chapter 224 - Bonds Fraying

  Hello?" "Mrs. Maine?" An unfamiliar voice greeted her. "This is Principal Hendricks from Kayla's school. There's been an... incident. We need you to come in as soon as possible." Deonna's heart sank. "What kind of incident?" "I'd rather discuss it in person, if you don't mind. How soon can you get here?" Deonna glanced back at Logan, still deep in conversation with Alex. "We'll be there in twenty minutes." As she ended the call, Logan appeared at her side, his expression concerned. "Everything okay?" Deonna shook her head. "It's Kayla. We need to go to the school." Logan's face hardened, all traces of the carefree boy gone. "Let's go." The next morning, Deonna sat across from a distinguished-looking man in a meticulously tailored suit. The brass nameplate on his desk read "Gerald Hawthorne, Esq." "Mrs. Maine," Hawthorne began, shuffling through a stack of papers. "I must say, your aunt's will is... quite extraordinary." Deonna leaned forward, her hands clasped tightly in h