Debra had recently realized that Marion wasn''t some mind reader. He had simply trained himself to read people''s emotions.


    They had been apart for over a month now, and for the first time, Debra felt like she was just beginning to understand him.


    "I didn''t understand it at first," Marion admitted, lowering his gaze. "I was afraid you''d look down on me." Debra scoffed, "Oh, I do look down on you."


    His eyes dimmed, and she continued, "I look down on you for being silly enough not to tell me sooner. Do you think love is just some biological reaction? I don''t care about all that. I just need to know that you care about me, that you''ll whisper sweet things to me every day, that you''ll always protect me, and that you''ll never betray me or love someone else. That''s all that matters."


    She paused and added, "Love isn''t something science can define. It''s a feeling and everything you do because of that feeling. I can see it and feel it. So, don''t ever tell me you have an emotional disorder. To me, you are my husband."


    His eyes lit up. But just as the warmth between them began to grow, she abruptly stepped back.


    "Why are you haunting me like a ghost?" she snapped. "I told you to stay away. I don''t want to see you. Leave before I call the police and have you arrested."


    He smiled at her Oscar-worthy performance and yed along.


    "I can''t live without you. Please, don''t be mad at me," he said, his voice thick with pain.


    He pulled her into his arms. It was a forceful embrace, but neither of them wanted to let go.


    Debra shoved him away, her voice icy. "You are the most shameless man I''ve ever met. Go find Miss Trennery and stop bothering me."


    "Debra, I love you." Marion cupped her face and kissed her roughly.


    Debra nearly burst outughing at his wless performance. To fight back the urge, she bit down on his lips, hard enough to leave a mark.


    "I hate you! Get out!" she bellowed.<fn0a60> Follow current nov?ls on f?ndnovel</fn0a60>


    Marion groaned inwardly, ''Those cruel words are good enough. Why bite me?''


    He hung his head with feigned dejection and slunk out of the house.


    As he reached the front gates, he turned back, ncing sorrowfully at the estate like an abandoned pet.


    Debra turned away. With Drake absent, the house felt empty and untouched.


    Remembering the letter Drake had given her before she left, she pulled it out.


    It was a sh drive. The storage capacity alone made her freeze.


    ''This device... Could it be...''