MARKED BY DECEPTION

☆☆LILA☆☆ He hands me a small evidence bag. Inside is a chain, my father's chain. “It was found in your father’s car. I thought you might want it.” “ oh “ I said, my shoulders dropping. A wave of disappointment washed over me. I had been hoping for something more. Something that could change everything. I clutched the chain tightly, as if I were holding a piece of him. For a moment, something strange flickered through me. Then I remembered the detective was still standing there. “Thank you,” I said softly. “It means a lot.” He nodded. “I figured it might.” “I thought it got lost with his ring,” I murmured, looking at the chain. “His ring?” His brow furrowed in confusion. “Yeah... My father always wore his wedding ring. Even after my mother died.” “Oh. It must havee fallen off, I guess.” “Yeah. It must have…” I hesitated, before asking, “Detective, if it’s not too much to ask... are you sure Rowan is innocent? It’s only been a month. More evidence could come up an

☆☆LILA☆☆ “Lila,” Zio’s voice broke through the silence of the study, low but firm. “Sit down.” I did, reluctantly. It was weird for Zio to address me in his study, but I knew why. My fingers fiddled with the hem of my sleeve like I was a child again, waiting to be scolded. He sighed tiredly, then looked at me, he looked so tired he did not look like the man who used to sneak me pastries when Dad wasn’t looking. That felt like a lifetime ago. “You can’t keep doing this,” he said quietly. “The clubs. Drinking and partying recklessly.” I swallowed, my jaw tight. “I’m sorry.” “I know you are.” His eyes softened. “God, Lila. I miss him too. But grief doesn’t give you the right to burn down everything he built.” I flinched at that. He noticed, and immediately his voice softened again. “I don’t mean to sound cruel. I’m worried about you. You know how they see you. I don't want you to be affected by them ” “ The board doesn’t matter.” “They do now,” he said, sitting forward. “

☆☆LILA☆☆ He kept snapping his fangs at the wolf until the animal gave a furious snarl and ran into the trees. I stood frozen, my whole body trembling. He turned to me , his eyes had turned gold. The air left me in a ragged rush. “W-What are you?” I forced the words out. He stepped toward me slowly, palms open. “Lila, please—” “Stay away!” I gasped and took a step back. “Don’t come near me.” Before he could move, I turned and ran. His footsteps were behind me. “I’m not going to hurt you, Lila. Just please wait and listen.” Liar. A big liar. The wolves wanted me dead for reasons I couldn’t begin to understand. His hand closed on my arm, hard. He pulled me back. I screamed and thrashed. “Let me go! Let me go, you monster!” “Lila, please listen to me ” he begged. For a second I stopped. But I couldn’t forget what I had just witnessed. Tears burned at the corners of my eyes. “You’re like them.” My voice broke. “You’re a monster.” Pain flickered across his face. “I w

☆☆LILA☆☆ I followed Theo through a narrow walkway as we left the main building. I wasn't really sure where we were going but Theo said we were going to meet a sage, it didn't take long for us to reach the backyard. A garden spread out around a small building, it was filled with wildflowers in colors so vivid they looked painted. Their scent filled the air, sweet. When Theo pushed open the small wooden door, I expected another plain chamber. But the moment I stepped in, it was like walking into another place entirely. The scent of flowers struck me first,it was stronger here than outside, as though the garden itself was inside the room. Candles glowed softly along the walls. Every shelf sagged with scrolls bound in leather. My eyes couldn’t stop wandering over the shelves and carved wooden talismans. Strange symbols were etched into the walls and the faint glow of candles which made the room feel more alive. I froze in the doorway, my breath catching in my throat. I was so

☆☆LILA☆☆I sat at the dining table, picking at my breakfast while Nanny Rosa occupied herself at the stove. The door creaked open. Zio entered, his eyes lowered, his shoulders heavy. I pushed back my chair, hoping to slip away before his voice stopped me. “I should have told you sooner,” he said quietly. He drew in a slow breath, then stepped closer. “I kept it from you because I wanted to protect you. Your father… he wanted you to live freely, without the burden of this world. But I failed you. I failed him.” My throat burned, but no words came out. I just stared, lips parting slightly. Zio raised his hands as if to touch me, then dropped them. His voice broke low.“I swore to your father I’d raise you as my own. That I’d keep you safe. If keeping secrets damned me in your eyes, then damn me twice. I can live with your anger but I can’t live with losing you, piccola.” Questions swirled in my head, but none came out. “I will never stop protecting you,” he went on. “Even if it m