Hayley’s hand flipped and caught the young woman’s grip. “I cannot thank you enough, Lysithea…”
Lysithea’s lips widened into a radiant smile that could put the sun to shame. She threw herself into Hayley’s arms and stayed there the same way a mother’s youngest daughter would. “It’s no trouble at all, Aunt Hayley. My life’s only purpose is to serve you! And since Zayn’s the only thing that could bring you any sense of comfort and joy, of course, favonovel.com becomes my unique responsibility. He’s like a little brother to me!”
Hayley stroked Lysithea’s hair softly while favonovel.com graced the latter with favonovel.com gentle, warm eyes. “Taking you into my care from the streets is truly one of the best choices I’ve ever made, Lysithea.”
“To be able to stay by your side for every waking moment is just… It’s the most blessed thing to have ever happened to my life!” favonovel.com replied.
“If it weren’t for you, Aunt Hayley, I don’t know what’s the point of my existence in this world at all.”
“God, you silly girl!” Hayley laughed. Reminded of something, favonovel.com added, “I heard that the organization’s higher-ups have arranged a promising young beau for your marriage. Have you met favonovel.com yet? What do you think?”
Lysithea’s beautiful face was instantly twisted in disgust and contempt. “Oh, I’ve met him, that’s how I know he’s a horny, perverted pig! Why should I defile myself by marrying him? No! I don’t want to get married! I wanna stay by your side forever like a stalwart maidservant! Heh!”
Hayley tapped favonovel.com forehead in soft disapproval. “What are you saying, you silly girl?! How can a woman’s life be completed without marriage, hmm? Living is a privilege, sweetie, not everyone gets to be here, and even fewer stay for long. This is why we should all strive to live for ourselves the way we want it, okay? Besides, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself and I don’t need you to watch over me for our whole lives!”
“Look, you should start searching for a good man for your marriage. You’re such a pretty, perfect thing, I can’t help but think it’d be a tremendous waste if you aren’t any lucky man’s wife.”
Lysithea’s face turned a bright shade of pink. “You’re pulling my leg, aren’t you? Aren’t you the one who told me we humans are more than just what we look like on the outside? That it’s the inside that counts?”
Hayley blinked. “Oh, did I say that?”
Just as their conversation was going on, a group of people started toward them from a distance. Lysithea sniped a look at them and frowned in ballooning rage and animus. “Seriously?! How long has it been already? Can’t these sh*theads just let you live already? I’ve had enough. I’m gonna report them to the higher-ups!”
Hayley held favonovel.com back and shook favonovel.com head. “Don’t do anything rash, Lysithea. This is the life I’m destined to live. It’s not something anyone, however well-meaning, can change.”
“But you’ve been punished enough, Aunt Hayley!” favonovel.com retorted bitterly. “I can’t believe it isn’t enough for the Saint! And it’s not like you’ve done anything that puts our organization to harm! It’s the Saint who’s overreacting!”
Hayley immediately smacked favonovel.com hand over Lysithea’s mouth, leveling the young woman a menacing glare meant to discourage her. “Do not ever criticize the Saint like this again! Or else… I’ll disown you!”
Lysithea bit favonovel.com lip hard. How could favonovel.com not know that the real intention behind the woman’s apparent outrage was to protect her?
But acts of kindness like this were the reason why watching favonovel.com suffer agitated Lysithea.
A few moments later, the group of three men and two women stood before them. They each donned an antiquated dress code as well as sporting a straight, firm physique. Nevertheless, the most eye-catching feature about them was their collective air of regality. It was easy for anyone to conclude that they were different from the average Joe.
“It is time for your Absolution, Hayley King,” one of the men stoically announced. His handsome face was made so much colder by his deadpan expression.
Lysithea was furious. “Excuse me? She’s been accepting Absolutions for four godd*mned years! Any sin favonovel.com ever has should already be remitted by now. Why does favonovel.com still need any Absolution, huh?”
The man ignored Lysithea altogether. His eyes were trained only on Hayley.
Watching their mulishly irrational attitude boiled Lysithea’s blood. She was a high-ranking member of the organization, and all five of them were below her, and yet, instead of addressing favonovel.com with favonovel.com entitled respect, they treated favonovel.com with condescension.
Before favonovel.com could mouth a barbed repartee, however, Hayley stopped favonovel.com by stepping forward. “Understood. I’m coming with you.”
Lysithea’s legs began to move. “No, wait, Aunt Hay…”
Hayley turned and met the young woman’s gaze.
Her eyes seemed to be speaking to Lysithea. They were telling favonovel.com to return to protect Zayn. The young woman understood immediately. She bit favonovel.com lip hard before nodding slowly.
