CHAPTER 1

Sri Lanka’s palm-fringed beaches adorn the southern tip of the island with its beautiful variegated landscapes and historical monuments. Ethnic tensions have caused a bitter feud resulting in civil war on the island. Lili Wentworth arrived just after a ceasefire had been broken. Deep in the coconut groves on a private beach sat eight individual villas equally positioned on each side of a restaurant. The sign out front aptly read The Groves. The aqua blue, crescent-shaped shores could be seen from the terrace of every villa.

He stood in the sand as the salt spray dampened the over-creased paper in his hand. It was one of Andrew’s prophecies and Davin Christoff was holding it. He read it now, for possibly the thirtieth time. He knew there was nothing he could have done to change the tragic outcome, the accident that stole Lili’s entire future. All he could do was remain in New York City and wait for her to show up at St. Luke’s Hospital. Nothing could have prepared him for what he saw that day—Lili’s lifeless body battered, and broken. The only thing worse were her lifeless eyes as the months of recuperation took its toll. Andrew Wentworth knew he wouldn’t be there for his daughter. All he had were a few prophecies and a few trusted friends to help see Lili through.

Sunshine flooded Lili’s room. Her bed was surrounded by soft whit