Their history stretched back years.

When he first met her, she was such a fragile little thing, more delicate and tinged with melancholy than now.

He was merely two years her senior.

Back then, his life was a parade of beauties.

So Dylan never contemplated entangling his life with the innocent Laura, not until she entered Edwin's orbit. He couldn't bring himself to expose Edwin's true identity to her, especially now that they had parted ways. Perhaps, in his silence, Laura might see her time with Edwin as nothing but a misstep.

Dylan watched her, his voice gentle in the night air.

“Your mom called. She's coming by tomorrow."

Laura froze.

Time stretched out before she whispered, “I'm alright. Please, don't mention any of this to her."

With a soft exhale, Dylan conceded.

"I haven't said a word. But you need to take your medicine."

Laura had been visibly spiraling these last few days, a shadow of depression creeping back in, which had Dylan worried sick.

It had been years since she'd battled these demons.

Thinking of Edwin, the man responsible for her pain, stirred a fierce protectiveness in Dylan. He wished he could make Edwin pay.

But Dylan was blind to the web of secrets entangling the Garcia and Evans families, and the motivations behind Edwin's pursuit of Laura.

He only saw a man who seemed to toy with Laura's affections.

Laura needed a moment to gather herself after Dylan spoke.

Releasing the Labrador, she stood up.

With a comforting touch on her shoulder, Dylan whispered, “Go on, take your medicine now."

She didn't put up a fight and went with him inside.