A collective pause, an interlude of astonishment. Millie’s gaze descended, Locking onto the entwined


    hands of Lois and Leon.


    Upon sighting Marcus, Lois wrestled with residual trepidation, memories of her past abduction haunting


    her thoughts. Consequently, her nce veered away from his presence.


    “Fortuitous encounter, indeed.” Millie’s lips curled into a weing smile.


    “Having recently dined nearby, a leisurely stroll beckoned.” Lois’ grip on Leon’s hand tightened. “Allow


    us to proceed…”


    In an unexpected twist of fate, a woman and a child collided amidst the bustling square.


    A mother’s voice, a crescendo of reproach, pierced the air. “Do your eyes betray you? My son, subject


    to your heedlessness, now suffers!”


    “Forgive me.” The woman offered an apologetic refuge, her hair a modest screen for her unease.


    A N G E L A ‘s L I B R A R Y


    “Apology spoken, yet departure contemted… Ah, but your countenance…”


    Forgiveness eluded the maternal figure, yielding to a push that toppled the woman to the ground. And


    thus, the veil concealing her visage lifted, revealing a canvas marred by scalds and scars.


    Fiona’s disfigured countenance struck fear in the mother, drawing the attention of onlookers in the


    square.


    Millie too directed her gaze towards her. Could it be Fiona? A tremor coursed through her hand,


    bearing the drink, as she hastened her pace, propelled by an inscrutable sense of urgency.


    As anticipated, the prone figure that met her gaze was none other than Fiona, now prostrate upon the


    ground.


    A constetion of emotions danced within Millie’s eyes, a tapestry woven of bewilderment and concern.


    For what reason had Fiona descended into this state?


    Expressions of dismay rippled through the onlookers as they observed Fiona’s altered countenance. A


    whisper brushed the air, conjecture materializing in words. “It appears she might have suffered scalding


    burns.”


    “Her facial features have been irrevocably marred. The sight is truly distressing.”


    Fiona’s cautious gaze lifted, and it intersected with Millie’s presence. A gradual shift of her eyes


    followed, tracing a deliberate path to where Millie stood.


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    As her gaze settled upon Marcus, Lois, and Leon, Fiona’s pupils underwent a perceptible contraction.


    An involuntary shiver coursed through her body, a tangible reaction to the encounter.


    Lois’ gaze narrowed in suspicion as she contemted Fiona’s unexpected presence. A question


    lingered in her thoughts – could Fiona be trailing her?


    Tears welled in Fiona’s eyes, tracing a path down her cheeks. The weight of her emotions became


    evident as she recoiled from the idea of confronting Leon directly.


    The sound of approaching footsteps heralded a figure d in dark leather shoes. Fiona’s body


    quivered with a mixture of apprehension and anticipation as she raised her gaze. In a gesture both


    unexpected andpassionate, Leon extended his sizable hand toward her.


    Lois stood frozen, her astonishment evident in her stillness.


    Fiona’s lips parted, her heart racing within her chest.