Zionâs face was grim as he looked at me. âMs. Larson, you shouldnât be here.â
I stayed quiet. After the police cleared the scene, I got up to find Steven, Iwondered if he had followed me here.
Frantically, I searched for Steven. When I finally spotted him across the street, still standing in the rain, relief flooded through me.
He was still here.
âStevenâ¦â I wanted to run to him, but the road was too crowded with cars.
âStephie, donât move,â he called out. Rushing over, he draped his jacket over my shoulders protectively.
âShould we go home?â His gentle voice calmed my nerves.
I nodded, taking one last look at the crime scene.
âThat madman wonât cease his onslaught,â I murmured.
The murderer would continue his spree until he felt satisfied.
âIâm looking for him too,â Steven said.
I looked at him. âWhy wonât you say his name?â
Steven shook his head. âBecause Iâm not sure either.â
I frowned, feeling unsure if I could trust Steven.
Back at the old Lincoln residence, I took a hot shower and then curled up in bed with a warm drink.
Steven came out of the bathroom in a bathrobe and squatted beside me. âFeeling better?â
I nodded, feeling somewhat calmer. âCan I ask you a question?â
Steven nodded.
âWhy did you say those people who died deserved to die?â
I wanted to know what those people had done.
Steven lowered his gaze, clenching his hands into fists.
Despite bearing scars from past burns, his fingers were exceptionally attractive.
If he had never been injured, he would have been Godâs perfect masterpiece.
âThey started the fire,â he said. Recalling those painful memories, he trembled.
I held Stevenâs hand and instinctively pulled him into a hug. âItâs okay⦠Itâs all in the past now.â
I took out my phone and messaged Zion, âSteven mentioned that the deaths are linked to the orphanage fire.â
Shortly after, Zion replied, âYou donât need to worry about it.â
I sighed heavily and leaned back on the bed.
It dawned on me that Stephany was unreliable.
Rachel must have noticed something off about Stephany, or else she wouldnât have suddenly become so cold and distrustful toward me.
However, I wondered what she had discovered.
âStephie, promise me⦠Donât get involved in this matter anymore, okay?â Steven said anxiously, hoping I wouldnât get dragged into it again.
âMr. Lincoln, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Lincoln Senior is back.â The butler, Austin, knocked on the door.
Ignatius had returned from his trip, but now he was bedridden and would require constant care.
Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I ruffled Stevenâs hair. âLetâs go downstairs and see Grandpa, won The troubles of the Lincoln family were enough to weigh heavily on anyoneâs mind.
With Ignatius paralyzed and unable to speak or make decisions, it seemed likely that the other Lincolns would take advantage of him.