"See you around," Michael said, smiling at Marion.


    His action got under Marion''s skin. Taking a deep breath, Marion turned off the stove and took the eggs out.


    Debra nced at him. "You seem hostile to Michael."


    "He''s not worth my time," Marion replied tly, peeling the eggs.


    Then he walked over to her and gently pressed the egg against her injured spot.


    "This will help reduce the swelling. You went too hard on yourself. It''s gonna hurt tomorrow."


    "Michael was just messing around. Don''t be fooled by his innocent look. He''s got a mischievous side. I think he just wanted to see if you cared about me. He wasn''t trying to provoke you."


    Marion hummed in response, seemingly unbothered by it.


    He looked down at the bruise and sighed, "He wasn''t wrong about one thing."


    "What is it?"


    "I failed to take good care of you."


    "That was my doing. It wasn''t your fault."


    "My job is to protect you. I can''t let you get hurt even in the slightest." Marion pinched her nose. "I''ll carry you to bed."


    He set the eggs down and scooped her up, carrying her toward the stairs.


    Debra wrapped her arms around his neck. But when she looked up at his face, she seemed to see that ruthless version of him from that dream.


    She stiffened, and he noticed.


    "What''s wrong?" he asked, softly looking at her.


    "Nothing." She shook her head. "Maybe just a bit too tired these past few days."


    Marion gentlyid her on the bed. "I''ll get you your pajamas."


    Debra nodded. Marion pulled out a blue robe from the wardrobe and helped her change.


    He kissed her corbone and said, "I''ll change your bandages."


    "It''s fine. I changed them this morning."


    "Just let me help you."


    He patted her head, and she nodded in consent.


    Marion was extremely careful, afraid of hurting her.


    In fact, the wound had already started healing. The scar was pink, likely regenerating new


    sw


    The visible scar looked out of ce


    on her smooth neck. If it had been


    the old her, she would''ve panicked, worrying about her looks.


    But now,


    point in her life, beauty no longer


    eu de felt nothing. At this


    SWING


    mattered to her.


    She relied on her abilities to survive.


    "All done." Marion finished wrapping the bandages.


    Debra looked down. "I wonder when it''ll be fully healed."


    "In about half a month, it should be good as new," Marion said, standing up.


    "Where are you going?"


    "To wash my hands."


    He''d wash his hands before and after treating her wound every time.