Marion went down on one knee. "Miss Frazier, forgive my rudeness. If you're still mad, splash me back. We've got plenty of water.""You're nuts!" Debra bolted. Marion froze, puzzled by his earlier action.After dinner, he rubbed his eyebrows, feeling like he'd forgotten something big.Itzel burst in, interrupting his thoughts.Before she could speak, he protested, "Mom, I told you to knock.""Sorry. I'm just so excited!" she said, grinning. "My boy's growing up, sending a girl roses."She used to think he wasn't into women. This proved her wrong, and he was quite romantic. Sending him abroad was worthwhile."You know I love Debra. Step it up and steal her from," she added eagerly."Mom, you're overthinking it," Marion said. "I don't steal other guys' girls." "Scared? I was your dad's steal." She paused, glaring. "If you don't apologize to Debra, I'll leak your baby photos."...The next day, Andrew called.It was a first, and they hadn't seen each other for a while.But
Marion raised an eyebrow, offering her a hand.She grabbed it, but he pulled back. As a result, she fell back into the water. The splash was even bigger this time."Argh!" She flailed, furious. Marion smirked, enjoying the revenge.The red-haired guy from earlier ran over, worried. "You okay? Did you get hurt?"He draped his jacket over her. Marion watched, a sour feeling rising.'Childhood sweethearts, huh? Real tight,' he thought.Itzel came out at the commotion. "Marion, what's wrong with you, bullying a girl? Apologize to Debra!"Marion glanced at Debra, now in Jordan's arms."Miss Frazier, I'm sorry," he said."I don't accept it!" Debra snapped, near tears.The thrill of payback faded. Guilt and pity crept in. He'd just met her, yet her every move tugged at him. It was unsettling, like two souls fought inside him. One wanted to mess with her, and the other ached for her. After everyone left with Debra, Marion wandered to the greenhouse.Inside were Caleb's prized
When Marion got home, Itzel was helping Dwayne get dressed.The scene gave him an uneasy feeling, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.These were his parents, but something felt off."Marion, what's with you? I told you to come early, and now guests are almost here," Itzel grumbled, reaching to take his coat. "I was expecting a beautiful daughter, but it's fine. I've got dresses you'd look stunning in.""Mom, we talked about this," Marion protested."I'm just bummed, okay?" She handed him a suit. "Your dad had this made. Wear it for dinner. Don't embarrass him in front of the guests." Dwayne chimed in, "No way. If we'd moved faster back then, Debra would be calling me Dad now."Marion recalled the past. When they were little, they used to play together. Then he had left the country, and they had lost touch.Now the name sounded oddly familiar to him."Marion, quit spacing out. Get ready," Itzel urged."Yes, ma'am," he replied, walking into his room with the suit.
It turned out Marion wasn't born with a defect.He had just numbed himself to stay away from hurt, fear, or grief. He had made himself cold to survive.That day, a disaster hit the Houston family.There was a car crash. His parents died, but he survived.The hospital was in chaos. He stood numb outside the OR.Caleb rushed in, nearly collapsing at the hard reality. But Marion felt nothing, like his emotions had been ripped out.Caleb wept, holding him, but he couldn't cry.He didn't know why he should. The purpose of his life was lost, and he just sat there staring blankly every day.Caleb told him to live for revenge. That was the only purpose he could cling to.Overseas life was brutal, but he felt no pain. Everything was for vengeance. He killed to climb the ranks, unmoved by pleas from the dying.Finally, it pushed him into a darker abyss.Debra was his salvation. Her red gown, blood's color, pulsed with life on her.Like a stubborn weed in a wildfire, she reignited him
William's call came at 9.Marion arrived at 9:30 and saw Jordan was already there."Ta-da!" William showed off his creation. "This is Dream 19.0! It's lawless. Way better than the Illuminati's stuff from 20 years ago." Jordan nodded. "Impressive! 20 years of grit, and you've refined it this far.""Thanks to you guys' big bucks. Without that, I'd be nowhere," William said, grinning. "How'd the Illuminati even dream up this crazy incense? Took me years to crack its code.""They sank a century, tons of cash, and a slew of geniuses into it," Jordan explained. "We got lucky, building on their work to make Dream 19 in just 20 years." William handed Marion the vial. "It works for three hours. After that, it wears off. But you need a pro therapist guiding the session."Marion took it, and William added, "Be careful. The theory says no side effects, but real-world use? Who knows?"Before he could finish, Marion downed it.His dauntlessness shocked William.He lay on a couch. A clock
A shadow was lurking in the dark living room, but Marion didn't flip the light.Even in the pitch-black, he automatically navigated to the kitchen and poured a glass of water."Spill it. What brings you here?" he said calmly.Solomon had slipped into the house without setting off the alarms, not because he was that slick. He had just inherited Randy's tech tricks.Marion added, "Nothing to say? Then leave.""Uncle Marion, I want to train with you," Solomon said firmly."I don't take students," Marion responded.Solomon caught a glint in Marion's eyes despite the darkness, but he didn't back up."I want to protect Lillian. I need to get stronger," he said.The challenge set by Juan at school let him see the gap between him and these old pros. To guard those he cared about, he had to level up.Only Marion could help. Marion's voice held a laugh, but a crushing pressure hit. "Why's it your job to protect my daughter?"Solomon had heard Marion speak before, but this was differ