Marion fell silent.

    Debra nced at him through the rearview mirror and said, "I won''t ask. But I want to hear it from you, not from someone else."

    With that, she closed her eyes and ended the conversation.

    Marion lowered his gaze. His eyshes trembled.

    He had always wanted to tell her, but he was afraid that once she knew, she wouldn''t be able to ept him.

    ...

    Late at night, Fermin finished treating his shoulder wound and knocked on the door to Liza''s room.

    Her voice was gruff. "I''m sleeping."

    "Well then, another time maybe," he said, pretending to leave.

    Liza yanked the door open, scowling. "What do you want?"

    "Debra and Marion are gone."

    "I know."

    "You know?"

    "Of course. Someone like Marion would not let you just capture him that easily."

    "Are you saying my skills aren''t as good as his?"

    "Yep."

    "You''re such a good sister."

    Her gazended on his injured shoulder. "You shoulder..."

    "A clean shot through. Nothing serious," he said, ruffling her hair. "Finally, you care about me. I''m so touched."

    "Who cares about you? You deserved it for hitting Debra. Marion is vindictive. Who knows what he''ll do next?"

    "He''s got bigger problems to deal with. He doesn''t have time for me."

    "What?" Liza caught something in his tone.

    Fermin didn''t want to drag her into this mess, so he changed the subject. "If he everes after me, I''ll let him. He''s one of the few people who has the ability to."

    "Can''t you just..."

    "No."

    A maid arrived, pushing a cart down the hallway.

    Fermin gestured for her to leave, then took the cart himself and rolled it inside. "I know you don''t sleep well. I had them warm up some fresh milk for you. Drink it and go to bed. Tomorrow, I''ll take you shopping and get you whatever you like. We''ll be staying here for a while. Can''t let you feel ufortable."

    "I don''t need anything. I don''t want to go shopping."

    All she could think about was how to fix things between Fermin and Debra.

    Fermin raised an eyebrow. "Why not? You used to love spending money on new handbags, designer shoes, jewelry, and plush toys. None of them tempt you anymore?"

    "Nope. Spending money is boring," she replied.

    Her recent trip to Seamar City had changed her. There had been no luxury and extravagance but real danger, through which she realized how na?ve she used to

    be.

    She had always believed the world was beautiful. But after everything she had been through with Debra, she finally understood that her family had been shielding her all along.