“There you are!” Lucy said when she found June outside the party. “I’ve been searching for you all night. Are you alright?” She asked.
June was sober with the papers in her hands, unable to believe it. Lucy stepped closer with a worried expression.
“I just saw Liam leave. Did something happen?” She asked cautiously.
June looked up and Lucy saw the tears in her eyes, causing her to be a lot more scared. “Talk to me, June. You’re crying. What’s wrong?”
June handed over the papers to Lucy, who quickly went through the documents, her eyes bulged out of their sockets as she stared back at June.
“Is… is this real?” Lucy stepped closer. “H-how?” She muttered, unable to form words.
“Liam.” She answered. “I don’t know how he did it…”
Lucy’s jaws nearly hit the floor.
“He said his lawyer would give me more details.” June smiled through the tears. “I got father’s company back.”
Just then, Mrs Evelyn stepped out, in search of June and Lucy. The president of South City sent an aide to represent him on the occasion and they demanded to see June.
“Congratulations!” Lucy beamed with joy. “I can’t believe it!”
“Me either!” June’s eyes were red as they shared a hug.
“There you are! I’ve been looking for you both. Carson just left with Liam and the president sent some representatives to speak with you.” Evelyn said once she saw her daughter.
She was saddled with the responsibility of taking care of Luis who was now sleeping in the hotel room.
“Hurry up. You should be inside. Are you… crying?” Mrs Evelyn asked when she saw her daughter’s reddened eyes.
“What’s going on? Did something happen?” Her tone was filled with concern.
“I’m alright mother,” June smiled, while Lucy put away the documents. “I’m just so happy.”
Mrs Evelyn stared at her daughter for some time, she sensed something off but decided to keep it for later.
They had guests who needed to see her right away. “You deserve everything beautiful my child,” Evelyn said, hugging her daughter. “Wipe your tears and come on in. The president’s aides are here to see you.”
Just like that, June wiped her tears and Lucy fixed her make-up. They returned to the party and June met the president’s aides.
“Happy birthday, Miss.” One of the men said. “The president sends his regards. He wanted to be here but some matters held him from making an appearance.”
“It’s no problem,” June spoke with grace. “Thank you for honouring the invitation.”
Lucy and June escorted the men to a safe area where they put the president on call. The president wished June a happy birthday and instructed the men to hand over her gifts.
“You are too kind,” June said with a smile. It was raining gifts for her that day. How much better could it be?
The men handed over an envelope with a piece of paper. June took it with scepticism, wondering the content of the paperwork.
June took a few minutes to read the paper, her eyes widening with every paragraph.
“What is it?” Lucy asked when she saw June’s handshake.
“Congratulations. Miss Sharon and Mrs Beatrice Ambrose have received an official pardon from the president.” One of the aides said with a smile. “Paperwork for their release is in progress and within a reasonable amount of time, they will be set free.”
June couldn’t believe it. She stared at Lucy and her mother with shaking hands.
“W-why… h-how?” She asked the president whose smile was visible from the video call.
“I have my ways.” He said. “I hope you are happy with my gift.”
After June visited Mrs Beatrice and Sharon in their respective prisons, she secretly worked with Carson to get Sharon’s case back on trial, hoping to secure her release.
Meanwhile, she was making plans to get Rafael’s mother out and in hospital for her health which deteriorated by the day.
All of this she kept away from her mother and Lucy while working tirelessly with Carson to make headway with the plans.
It felt surreal knowing that everything was over and she didn’t need to lift a finger or go through the endless circle in court to fulfil her promise to the late Sheila and her sister Sharon.
Overwhelmed with emotions, June broke down in tears, crying her heart out. The others hugged her, letting her cry while comforting her.
Everything was falling into the right places. It felt like a dream. After having so many bad experiences, June couldn’t believe that something good was finally happening to her.
The party ended and June returned to a nearby hotel with her mother and Luis. They planned to return home early the next morning.
Unknown to them, at South City Hospital, a miracle had taken place. Rafael sat on his hospital bed as the doctors took his vitals.
Carson barged into the hospital ward, breathing heavily. He was at the surprise party when he received a signal from the hospital about Rafael’s situation.
When he saw Rafael sitting up with his eyes open, Carson’s eyes watered. “Rafe?” He called softly, taking small steps inside the room. “Is that you?”
A smile drew on Rafael’s face. “One and only.” He joked. “I couldn’t possibly die that easily.”
Carson rushed to Rafael’s side, displacing the doctors as he carried out intense examinations on his friend, unable to believe his eyes.
“What happened?” Carson asked his colleagues after his extensive examinations. “H-how?” His voice broke and Carson broke down in tears, shocking the entire room of medical professionals.
Rafael, moved by his friend’s display shed a few tears too. While in the other world, he didn’t expect to ever return home with Zeus taking control.
After June disappeared, and Augusta nearly died, Zeus lost his mind, and rained havoc, tapping into his dark side and giving his wolf absolute control.
Rafael watched Zeus and his wolf enact revenge on his enemies, killing his brother, Georgina and every single wolf was on their side.
He went on to enslave the entire werewolf race as he nursed his mate who was unconscious from the sudden attack.
When Augusta delayed recovery, Rafael was almost certain there would be no second chance for him as Zeus went wild.
Charged with anger, Zeus found and eradicated every rogue pack he could lay his fingers on until Augusta finally woke up.
Rafael was relieved and thought he would finally be able to leave but reverse was the case. Trapped in Zeus’ body with no way of escape, he was made to watch Zeus and Augusta grow to love themselves and on the night of their wedding, he miraculously returned to his body.
The medical team left after carrying out due diligence, leaving the childhood friends some privacy.
“Where is she?” Rafael asked after a long conversation that brought him up to date with the world. “June. What happened after the accident? Is she… is she alive?”
Carson had yet to say anything about what happened to June and her family, which worried him more than he could take.
Carson’s eyes widened as soon as the word left Rafael’s mouth. He hadn’t told anyone of the good news. He was too shocked and left the party abruptly.
“Why don’t we find out?” Carson said with a cheeky smile.