"Sorry, I have only limited time to freely make a call, so... I didn't contact you immediately," said Deirdre.

Tobey sounded down as he said, "Silly girl, you don’t have to apologize. Clearly, I should be the one to apologize to you. I am a man, but I couldn't protect you and let you fall into that man's hands. Now every time I think about it, I resent my incompetence."

Deirdre's expression changed, and her hesitant eyes were reddish. If Tobey knew that she was with Brendan again, he would pro