Debra hesitated for a moment before answering the call.

    There was a moment of silence before Michael started, "Are you okay?"

    "I''m fine," she replied, her voice hoarse.

    She had been lying in bed doing nothing all day.

    "I''m outside," he said.

    Debra froze for a second before slowly getting out of bed and walking over to the window.

    She lifted a corner of the curtain and saw Michael standing outside.

    He was wearing a white shirt, neat and clean. Probably to avoid being recognized, he had put on a mask.

    "If you don''t want to stay here, I''ll take you away," he added.

    "Okay," Debra agreed without hesitation.

    She hung up the phone, but her eyes dimmed.

    Outside, Marion saw a glimmer of hope when he heard the door opening.

    "Debra, please listen to me..."

    "Mr. Houston, please don''t block the way."

    Marion''s smile froze on his face. Debra had never been so different to him like that.

    "What did you call me?"

    "Mr. Houston. I told you before. I trust you, but if you ever deceive me, I''ll leave you without a second thought."

    "I didn''t mean to hide it from you. Please listen to me."

    "Move aside."

    Debra struggled to keep her emotions in check. Marion didn''t miss the disgust in her eyes.

    He never imagined that one day he would receive such a look from her.

    "You say you love me. But when you hold me every night, what are you thinking? Which expression to put on, or are youughing at how easily I''m deceived?"

    "I''m not."

    "Enough. We both need time and space to calm down. Let''s not see each other for a while." She took off her ring. "Here, take it back."

    The ring fell to the ground, and Marion''s heart ached. The sharp pain, deep in his soul, made the rims of his eyes redden.

    Debra turned and walked downstairs. Tears streamed down her face.

    She didn''t want to be so harsh, but Marion wasn''t the only one in pain.

    Not a saint, she couldn''t tolerate everything. He imed that he loved her, but he

    had no real feelings. The betrayal hurt her badly.

    Marion squatted down and picked up the ring.

    What Debra had said the night before reyed in his mind. She didn''t want to hear from others about his illness.

    He hadn''t been honest with her. The momentary hesitation made everything irreversible.

    Outside, Michael stepped forward, offering her a handkerchief.

    "The car''s outside, ready to go wherever you want to go."

    "Thank you, but I don''t feel like going anywhere right now."

    The current situation was overwhelming. She needed some time alone to calm down.