Everything that had happened felt like a dream.


    “Okay. I know you went to the other side of the Saltmere River, so I had Helen and Kate go over to help you."


    As he spoke, he took out the ring box I had told Kate to throw away. He opened it, revealing the ring that ude had tossed into the pool that day.


    A softugh escaped me.


    "Max, let''s not think about that right now. All I want is for the people over there to have better lives. You have the power... please, make Lily pay for her crimes with her life."


    My voice turned cold. I had learned that indecisiveness would only get me killed.


    Those who shouldn''t exist, those who deserved to die long ago-why show them any mercy?


    “Alright. ording to the n, I''ll keep Lily upied here. As soon as I get Garrett out, I''ll see that she''s brought to trial. You need to be careful over there."


    I raised my hand and we linked pinkies in a promise. "Then we''ll meet at the summit."


    I didn''t know if I had reached a new height in my life, but I suddenly knew what I had to do: help these people truly escape poverty.


    And make sure the real viins received the punishment they deserved.


    Max let go of me and gently ruffled my hair. "I always thought I had to protect you, to shield you from the darkness. But ire, you''re so much stronger than I ever gave you credit for. You can stand on your own two feet just fine."


    Then, he leaned in and ced a light kiss on my forehead.


    And vanished into the darkness.


    He carried the weight of more than just me; he had his brother and his country on his shoulders.


    So I couldn''t selfishly demand that he protect only me. He had his own burdens to bear. I would meet him when it was all over.


    A weekter, we brought the little girl back to the impoverished side of the Saltmere River. Helen and Kate were already there, having provided everyone with shoes and warm socks.


    They all greeted me. "Thank you, Ms. ire!"


    I knew Helen and Kate had done all this in my name.


    “Helen, today is Lily''s weekly charity visit. Make sure everyone stays inside so Lily doesn''t see the changes."


    Helen nodded.


    I handed several packets of seeds to Kate. "There''s a yard back there, a bit further in where Lily won''t go Wethnt these vegetable seeds. We should have something to eat soon. Some of the faster-growing ones will be ready in a week."


    Kate nodded and went to get it done, taking a few of the younger women with her to help nt the vegetables.


    Then, Helen and I cleared out a dpidated, abandoned house. “This can be our clinic from now on."


    Helen immediately said, "Then we should get Allen Ramsey toe. He''s been in the country these past few overseeing ude''s sentencing With alf his crimes Combined, ude got at least twenty years."


    days, ne


    Sentencing


    My expression was calm.


    He should have been punished long ago. From what he did to Lydia-kidnapping me, cutting off her finger, beating her ck and blue-and countless other crimes.


    Max had been too sentimental about family ties in the beginning.


    A person like ude was never one of us.


    We had just finished arranging the medical supplies Helen brought when we heard the vige gate open The convoy of cars arrived, just likest time, dropped off their things, took some photos, and left.


    This time, it was candy again.