"What did she say?" Cage asked. He too was getting worried.

  "She asked us not to come up. When I asked why she said something about a child and someone's sister coming to their apartment?" They stared at the road in confusion for a moment before Cage's eyes widened.

  The realization had dawned on him.

  "The child she spoke to online! He's there!" Stephen choked in the driver's seat. "Damn it. Hurry. We need to think of something."

  Cage was sure that Stephen was going to get speeding tickets, not that he cared. Right now, they needed to help the girls out——

  Katherine had heard the commotion outside. She patted Angelina on the back and took her packed bag on her shoulder.

  "Don't come out. At any cost. We'll handle it." She opened the door and walked out, eyeing the pair of siblings.

  "Kitty, meet Sophia and Damon. They want to meet Angelina but I have let them know that she doesn't want to talk to them." Having gotten a download on the situation, Katherine placed the bag on the couch and sat down herself.

  "Right. I'm sure you understand as a woman how inconvenient it is when someone forces you to confront others," Katherine said with a smile. Call the teenager a woman and get on their side, appeal to their compassion for fellow females.

  Sophia looked slightly stunned before furrowing her eyes.

  "How can you ensure that you are not holding her back?" she asked. Damon nodded vehemently as well. Katherine shared a look with Lily.

  "I am not sure what you spoke about, but we have been told that you hid your identity from our daughter. Moreover, it's absolutely uncalled for that you knocked on our door without our prior permission. I don't know how you got our address, but this is……" she trailed off. Sophia gulped. She looked away from the two. "I would like to know how you got our information," Katherine said firmly.

  "I have a friend from college who tracks people's IP addresses," she said in a small voice. Lily startled and stood up. She was going to burst.

  "That's illegal," Katherine said through gritted teeth. "I'm sure you know what happens if the police get involved." No way were they going to involve the police.

  "No-" Sophia stuttered. "We'll leave as soon as we see her, I promise." The panic had set in.

  "I think you should leave," Lily said coldly. "You are not welcome here. You are underage, so I don't want to call the police and your parents. You will get into big trouble if this gets out. Leave."

  Katherine heard footsteps and looked up in shock. Stephen was standing near the living room door, gaping at the scene. She had heard Angelina ask him to wait downstairs and he still came up. The way she had sounded…… Katherine couldn't blame Stephen.

  "She's inside," Katherine told him helpfully. He nodded and knocked on Angelina's door.

  "Who is it?" she said softly, but the silence in the apartment amplified her voice.

  "It's me," was all he said. The door opened and he went in without another word. Before going, though, he threw a look at the two siblings.

  "Who was that?" Damon asked. He squinted his eyes as if understanding something suddenly.

  "Her dad," Lily said blankly. Katherine almost choked. Well, okay. Daddy Stephen was probably in Angelina's fantasies. She wouldn't argue that point.

  "What is this scenario?" Sophia asked, looking between them.

  "We have a complicated family tree. Now go out."

  Angelina's sobs came through and the two friends stiffened.

  'Thank god Stephen is in there to console her,' both of them thought in unison.

  Katherine's phone rang all of a sudden and she jumped. She looked at the screen to see that it was Cage.

  "Hi," she whispered.

  "Everything alright there? Do you want me to come up?" Cage asked. He sounded so concerned. Katherine felt her eyes water even though she was not the person in the tough spot. How she wanted him to barge in and save the day, but that would never be possible.

  "No, just stay downstairs. We'll handle this and come down." He hummed in acknowledgment. She hung up immediately.

  "Seriously, we need to leave and the two of you are ruining our vacation."

  "No, you are ruining it! We came from across the country to see her!" Sophia screamed.

  Something clicked in Katherine's mind. Stephen had walked into the apartment without them opening the door. The door had been open. It was probably still open and their neighbors could hear the drama unfold. She wanted to slap herself.

  She didn't care what they thought about anything, but…… it was not a good look.

  She darted towards the door and saw that it was wide open. Despite her warnings, the man she loved wholeheartedly was standing near the door, leaning against the wall of their apartment. He was wearing all black clothes and had a cap and mask on. He was more conspicuous than ever.

  "Come inside!" she whispered urgently. Some of the people on their floor were outside, listening in.

  "Sorry for the commotion," she said apologetically as she pulled him inside.

  "Let us know if you need any help," one of the friendlier neighbors offered. With a quick thanks and a polite smile, she closed the door.

  "I'll just stay here. Call me if you need anything," he said sweetly, placing a kiss on her forehead despite his mask. She sighed and nodded.

  In the living room, there was silence.

  "I forgot to close the door," Katherine muttered apologetically. She sat down again and sighed. "Really, you two. There is no point sitting here……" she wanted to groan and throw a tantrum.

  Just as she was about to say more, the door behind them opened. Lily's head stapped towards the direction. Stephen emerged and behind him…… Angelina.

  Lily swore, slapping her palm against her forehead.

  The seat opposite to the siblings was taken up by Lily, so she quickly moved and went to sit on the armrest beside Katherine. The two friends waited patiently as Angelina hesitated and then took the seat. Stephen stood behind her as if guarding her.