Chapter 31

Wesley stepped slowly from his car. But rather than heading toward the porch of Amara's house, his gaze locked instead onto the tall man in the crisp suit standing beside the twins. Wesley's eyes abruptly filled. He half-refused to believe what his own sight was telling him.

The figure before him was someone deeply important in his life — the man who had once saved his life, years ago, back when Zach was studying at a prestigious university in America and Wesley worked there as campus staff. During his time in Washington, Zach and Wesley had grown quite close.

Without wasting a moment, Wesley broke off his path and hurried straight to Zach.

"Sir . . . Mr. Thorne?! Is it . . . is it really you?!" Wesley asked, his voice trembling, looking at Zach, overcome.

Zach drew a long breath. Setting aside, just for a moment, the tightness in his chest and his own pride — the fact that the man before him was his greatest rival, about to ask for Amara's hand — Zach shaped a faint smile.

"Yes, Wesley. It's me. Zach," he answered gently.

"Oh God . . . I feel like I'm dreaming, getting to see you again here, Mr. Thorne!" Wesley exclaimed, his eyes spilling over. "If it weren't for you, back when I had that terrible accident in Washington, my name would probably be nothing but a memory by now."

Unable to hold his emotions in, Wesley pulled Zach into a tight embrace — the man he had come to think of as his life's savior. Zach returned it, giving him a warm pat on the back.

The whole extended family gathered in the yard, and Amara and her parents above all, could only stand transfixed, staring at the scene in disbelief. David Wells was frozen stiff, never dreaming that the man his future son-in-law had praised all this time was the very same man he despised.