Collin was just about to step inside when Josh, the ever-dutiful butler, informed him, "Mr. Riley, Mrs. Riley's close friend has arrived."

The living room crackled with a palpable tension. Collin's brow furrowed as he surveyed the somber atmosphere. "What's with the grim faces?" he asked, his voice steady yet curious.

Dolores's gaze snapped up at the sound of his voice. Her eyes widened in genuine surprise as they met Collin's. Could this strikingly handsome man truly be the notorious "outcast" of the Riley family she had heard so much about? Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Collin exuded an unmistakable aura of power and quiet determination. It was no wonder that Linsey, who always had an eye for character and presence, had fallen for him.

A flicker of confusion crossed Dolores's face. There was something strangely familiar about the way Collin carried himself, a lingering sense that their paths might have crossed in a different life, though she couldn't quite place the memory.

Brushing the thought aside, Dolores stood her ground. "You're Collin, I presume?" she said, her voice flat and demanding. "I'm Dolores Davidson, Linsey's closest friend."

Before Collin could offer a greeting, Dolores's expression hardened into one of accusation. "Linsey chose you, which means it was your responsibility to ensure she was protected. Instead, she was targeted and put through a terrifying ordeal because you weren't there when she needed you most," she stated firmly.

Linsey’s heart sank. She was about to jump to Collin's defense—after all, she was an independent woman, and the blame rested solely on the kidnapper's shoulders, not her husband's. In truth, Collin had been the one to rescue her from the brink of disaster.

But before Linsey could utter a word, Collin intervened. "You're absolutely right," he admitted, his voice laced with a deep, sincere remorse. "I failed to keep Linsey safe, and for that, I am truly sorry."

Collin's unexpected and humble confession stunned both Linsey and Dolores into a momentary silence.

"I promise you," Collin continued, his voice resonating with resolve, "I will do everything in my power to protect Linsey from this moment forward. I will never allow her to be put in harm's way again."

Linsey felt a surge of warmth course through her—a comforting wave of gratitude. She realized that Collin wasn't just saying these words to appease her friend; he truly felt the weight of his role in her life.

Dolores, meanwhile, viewed Collin with a new perspective. Initially, she had been skeptical of Linsey marrying a man with mobility challenges, fearing he couldn't offer her the security she deserved. Yet, seeing him face his perceived failings head-on, without offering a single excuse, caught her off guard. Perhaps Linsey’s judgment was more profound than she had initially presumed.

Observing the softening around the edges of Dolores's expression, Linsey released a quiet sigh of relief. She knew how unyielding her friend could be, and she had dreaded being caught in a crossfire between the two most important people in her world.

Dolores paused, then delivered a final, stern warning. "Listen, Collin. You might be her husband, but we are closer than sisters. If you ever mistreat her or fail her again, I will be the first one to take her away from here. Don't make me regret giving you my trust."

Collin's expression remained unfazed, his gaze softening only when he turned to look at Linsey. "I won't give you that chance," he vowed quietly.

Sensing the tension finally beginning to ebb, Linsey quickly stepped in to diffuse the remaining unease. "Actually, Collin, I’ve told Dolores so much about you. Since she’s finally here, why don't we all have dinner together? I’d love for you two to truly get to know one another."