As he hung up, Lyon put the phone down and mindlessly tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. The dim lighting of the vehicle fell over his scowling face, hiding it as if half-shrouded, exuding an aura of threat.

The next morning, I was phoned by the authentication center. Having read the report, I immediately sent a copy to Jack.

It wasn't long before I heard from Jack, and he sounded quite resigned. "Sofia, all of that is over. Why bring it up again?"

I scoffed. "Over? You betrayed me. Don't you owe me an apology?"

There was a shocked silence at the other end of the line.

After a...