There was no such thing as first love in the world of grownups. He smiled coldly. “Being too smart isn’t good for a woman. It’s better if you play dumb once in a while. You know how it feels to be loved. I’m sure you don’t want to lose it.”
I pursed my lips. Contrary to what he believed, all I felt was disgust. I kept quiet for a while before answering, “I want you to tell me the truth, Mr. Murphy.”
He nodded. “Remember where we first met?”
“J City’s cemetery.”
He nodded; his gaze still fixated on me. “To be precise, right in front of Mrs. Stovall’s tombstone.”
I knew my grandmother was a Stovall, so that wasn’t a shock. “So?” I looked at him. I saw Armond when I went to the cemetery on All Souls’ Day, but I didn’t think that much. I only thought he was being kind when he helped me out of the kidnapping, but after mulling it over, I thought things weren’t as simple as they seemed.
There are no coincidences in this world.
“I want the sandalwood box Mrs. Stovall left you.” His gaze was still cold as ever.
I stiffened up and frowned at him. “That’s a puzzle box. How do you know I have it?”
He smiled. “I found out about it.” And he said nothing more.
I shouldn’t give him the box, since my grandma left it for me. However, if it could exchange five people’s lives and Ashton’s consolation, that would be worth it. I nodded. “No problem.”
He smiled, looking satisfied, and he stood up. “Sleep tight and wake up early next morning.”
I nodded. I had something else to say, but Abe had come down. “What were you guys talking about, Mr. Murphy?” Abe squinted at me, then his eyes were locked on my face, and he criticized, “She has the curves, and her features are nice, but she has a scar. She’s not the best woman you can get, so what did you see in her?”
He was talking to Armond.
Armond smiled at me. “Never judge a book by its cover. Beauty is nothing without a gorgeous soul.”
Abe snorted and plopped down on the chair, staring at me quietly. “I can never get your aesthetics.”
I went upstairs, refusing to stay any longer, and I mulled over what Armond told me. It would be for the best if he could take us away.
Nora and the girls were looking better when I went to see them again. Nora, especially, had regained consciousness. She tugged at my arm, her eyes teary. “I want to go home.”
That broke my heart, and I nodded. Everyone else was starting to regain some color, though they were still relatively pale. Well, anyone would be driven insane staying in that wretched place for such a long time.
Abe rarely stayed in the villa, probably fearing for his life. He was always cautious and appeared out of nowhere every time.
Same went for Danny and Dante. They’d appear whenever I thought they weren’t around, but I could never find them whenever I tried.
It was a sleepless night that night, for Armond’s promise lit up my desire to get my life back, and the prospect of bringing Nora and the girls back excited me.
I stayed up until late in the night, then I heard the roar of the engine coming from below. I froze in fear, thinking that Abe had come again. Then I went to the balcony to take a look, but someone knocked on the door before I could and startled me.
I went to take the door after a few more knocks, though surprisingly, it was Armond standing there. He was still cold as usual, though his black suit made him all the more distant. He frowned at me. “Let’s go.”
I was surprised. “Now?”
“Abe’s at the vineyard having fun. It’s your best chance to make a break for it. I’ve handled everything else. Now go.”
I was flabbergasted, but I had to take the chance, or it might prove difficult to leave. I went with him and noticed Danny in the living room downstairs, only illuminated by the dim lamp. He was staring straight at us.
I stopped in my tracks. “Danny.”
“Let’s go.” Armond threw him a look and dragged me away.
I thought Danny would stop us, but all he did was see us off. I hesitated for a moment, and I said, “Thank you.”
He didn’t answer me. Instead, he looked at Armond.
Three black cars were waiting for us when we came out, and the moment we got in, I heard gunshots coming from the rubber plantation. He shoved me into the car and told the chauffeur, “Take them and go!”
Abe’s probably back. I stared at Armond, panicked. There was nothing I could say but, “Be careful.”
