Page 32 of Doyle

There was a tense silence between us, the night air thick with unspoken words. Finally, my dad nodded.

"Okay, Michael. We can talk about this another time. Just... don't shut me out, alright?" My dad asked.

"I won't," I promised, even though I wasn't sure I could keep that promise.

"Let's go back inside," he said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

As we walked back to the party, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was stuck between two worlds.

The one I had lost and the one I was trying to rebuild.

But for now, I had to play the part of the dutiful son, even if it meant pushing my own needs aside. Just for tonight.

CHAPTER NINE

DOYLE

As I stretchedand prepared for my morning jog, I called Michael, eager to hear his voice.

Ever since his party, we had been talking more frequently, and these moments had quickly become the highlight of my day.

"And what are you up to today?" I asked, pressing the phone against my ear as I continued my stretches.

"It's my first day at work," Michael said, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

I could easily picture him lying on his bed, smiling up at me, barely awake and greeting me good morning.

I dismissed the image to focus on our conversation.

"Oh yeah? I'm sure you'll do fine. What will you be doing?" I asked, switching the phone to loudspeaker as I dressed for my jog.

“Just some admin stuff for my dad. They've got me doing some filing and organising, just easing me back into the routine," Michael replied.

He sounded both excited and apprehensive.

"You'll be great, Michael. Just take it one step at a time," I encouraged him.

"Thanks, Doyle. It means a lot hearing you say that," he said softly. "I'll um, tell you all about it later. If that's okay?"

"Looking forward to it," I replied, ending the call just as Zane walked up to me.

"Was that Michael?" Zane asked, his tone casual but his eyes scrutinizing.

"It was," I said, a little guarded.

"It's been, what, a week since his rescue?" Zane asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, about there," I answered, trying to keep my tone neutral.

"You've been in contact with him a lot," Zane observed, his gaze sharp and questioning.

"We've become friends," I said, knowing how unconvincing I sounded.

"Friends?" Zane asked, one eyebrow raised skeptically.

I said nothing more.

"Well, the bears haven't come up with any new leads. Maybe it's about time you pay Michael a visit, see if he's up to answering some questions about Liliana," Zane suggested.

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