Chapter 31: Pity

After a few minutes, Liliana had nothing on. When Nixon Walker looked at her, all she felt was shyness; the fear that had haunted her since that night had slipped away. The change delighted him and, at the same time, gave him a pang of pity. His gaze betrayed him. Liliana's breath hitched, but she still looped her arms around his neck and murmured in his ear, her breath quick, her voice clear, "Don't pity me. I don't need it. I chose this path myself." She knew the road ahead was an abyss, yet...