Chapter 311:

"Why do you think he showed up last night?" Regina asked. "He was there for Alicia, but he didn't anticipate Yolanda's actions."

Dorian fell silent, both lost in thought. Yolanda's culpability was clear, and they felt pressured to make amends.

"I'll go apologize," Dorian said.

"That won't solve anything," Regina replied. "Even if Yolanda apologizes, the outcome might be the same." Dorian felt the weight of her words.

"I need to apologize regardless of Caden's intentions," he said. "Alicia is suffering because of my actions. The blame is mine."

Regina started to speak, but a loud call from upstairs interrupted them. "Mr. Moss! Mrs. Moss! Miss Moss has locked herself in!"

Dorian rushed upstairs. After his knocks went unanswered, he ordered the door broken open. He and Regina hurried into the room to find Yolanda clutching sleeping pills. In anger, Dorian knocked them from her hand.

"What are you thinking? You foolish girl!"

Yolanda collapsed into his arms, trembling. "Dad, I've made a terrible mistake. I'm sorry... Maybe it would be better if I were gone. I hate putting you in this tough spot."

Regina saw Yolanda's distress, but recognized it as a façade, born of fear of Caden's reaction. Yolanda hadn't truly grasped the gravity of her actions.

Once Yolanda was hospitalized, Dorian went to apologize to Alicia. She refused his apology.

"Yolanda acknowledges her fault," Dorian said. "Once she recovers, she'll apologize to you personally, Ms. Bennett. Please, forgive her." He approached her humbly, as an elder should. But Alicia remained unmoved.

Dorian was about to continue when footsteps sounded outside. "Dorian."

Caden entered, his presence commanding the room. Perhaps it was guilt, but Dorian felt uneasy. Caden's eyes swept over the room's gifts.

"She doesn't like these," Caden said. "Get someone to remove them."

Dorian's face darkened. He frowned. "Alright, Caden, let's not drag this out. I'm here to apologize on Yolanda's behalf. If Alicia won't accept it, she can ask for anything else, and I'll agree."

Caden responded firmly, "Every debt has its debtor, Dorian. Don't put me in a tough spot."