CHAPTER 178: ONE CRUCIAL ANSWER

MARIE "Where should I meet you?" Damian asked, his voice a low whisper. When he wasn't talking, his shallow breaths filled my ear. "There's this restaurant called Goofy Grooves. Can you come there this evening? There's something important I want to talk to you about." "I'll be there," he said firmly. "Damian?" I said. "Yes?" "Thank you for agreeing to see me," I sniffled. I wiped my reddened eyes with the back of my palm. "I know it's been months, and I just texted out of the blue and—" "It's fine," he said, cutting me off, "you don't need to thank me. I guess that it's just me trying to make amends for my wrongs." I nodded, memories of the betrayal coming back to me. But did I hate him? The answer was obvious enough, especially after Sophia had told me what had happened—what my father had done. "I didn't have anyone to turn to, no one to trust," I said. "I'm always here and will always be." His words of assurance did enough to lift my low spirit. "Also, Damian?" I said. I