Chapter 124

ROBERT'S POV

The next morning, I woke up with a sense of foreboding in my mind. I wished I didn't have to wake up. I wanted to continue laying down there close to Ariana, feeling her skin on me, cocooned away from the harsh realities and from this maze that seemed to have no end.

I laid there and watched Ariana stir awake beside me. I knew I would have to tell her what Sylvia had found out no matter how unpleasant it would be. I sighed thankfully that Ariana didn't really remember Richard.

"Ari," I said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. She blinked up at me, her eyes still heavy with sleep.

"Morning," she murmured.

"Morning," I replied, managing a small smile. "There's something we need to talk about." It was best to get it over with it. We had to hit the ground running.

She sat up, sensing the seriousness in my tone. "What is it?"

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "Sylvia called last night. She spoke to her contact in Evanston. Apparently, Anita went to the pol