CHAPTER 43 THE MOTIVES OF MARK

Mark's face paled, the realization dawning on him that Juliet was worried about being caught. "Juliet... I won't say anything," he whispered, his eyes pleading with her to believe him. With a look of desperation on her face, Juliet stared down Mark, her hands trembling slightly as she fought to keep her composure. "Just go," she whispered, her voice shaking with a mixture of fear and rage. "I don't want you here. I don't want anyone to see you. If Caleb finds out you're here... if anyone in my family finds out... there will be hell to pay." Mark nodded, his eyes still fixed on Juliet's as he slowly backed away. "I understand," he said, his voice tinged with sad. Just as Mark's gaze lingered on Juliet one last time, the door swung open and Caleb stepped in, his entrance as sudden and sharp as a thunderbolt. "So, we're on first name basis now, are we?" he said, his voice laced with dry humor as he regarded the pair with a quizzical look. Juliet's smile, already thin, tightened eve