Marion leaned against the doorframe and smiled, "No need."


    He''d always known. Debra had grown into a hawk soaring freely through the skies. Even without his protection, she''d fly higher and farther.


    His smile deepened as he listened to her passionate ns for thepany''s future. That alone was worth his trip.


    ...


    At the Potter Mansion, Andrew utched the golden cage, releasing the canary inside.


    It fluttered clumsily toward the window. Trapped too long, it had forgotten how to fly. Yet it pped its wings and pushed onward until it took flight and disappeared into the distance.


    "Sir, that was your favorite bird," a servant said hesitantly.


    "Loving something doesn''t mean clutching it in your hand," Andrew replied with a smile. "To love is to let go, find its true self, and pursue what it wants."


    His voice lowered. "To love is to step back and watch her enjoy her life."


    A storm brewed outside, but he knew no matter how fierce the rain was, she''d endure.


    After seeing everyone off, Debra dragged her exhausted body out of the conference room.


    The familiar click of a lighter made her turn. Marion leaned against the wall, twirling the lighter she''d gifted him. He liked it very much and carved a "D" on its metallic surface.


    "How long have you been here?"


    "An hour."


    "An hour? So, you heard everything."


    "I heard enough. Didn''t know you had such grand ambitions."


    Debra''s cheeks flushed. "That''s just how a leader should sound."


    "I know." He took her hand,cing their fingers. "You''re remarkable."


    They walked infortable silence until sighed. "You know, when I saw face and heard t call me I a fake, I doubted myself."


    face and heard them


    "Vickie?"


    "You missed that part? She looks like me, with perfect manners and the same speech patterns. If ske stood in front of you, would you mistake her for me?"


    "Even if she were a mirror image, I''d make no mistakes."


    Debra chuckled, "Just kidding. At first, I doubted myself because I didn''t remember anything before eight When I calmed downter, I found her story was full of loopholes."


    Her parents would''ve known if she weren''t theirs. As for that ne, the kidnappers would have taken that too.


    Yet one question nagged her. "But there is still something I can''t figure out."


    "What is it?"


    "What if the kidnapping did happen?"