"Damn it! You're asking for it. Don't blame me for what happens next!"

Milly's voice dripped with menace as she fired the pistol. The shot rang out deafeningly.

In that instant, Lilah was shoved aside, tumbling to the ground as Matthew's body fell onto her. A gaping wound marred his chest, blood staining his mouth and nose, sending a shockwave of horror through Lilah.

"Dad!" Her voice trembled with disbelief as she reached out, but the blood flowed unabated.

"He got what was coming to him. But it doesn't matter. You'll join him soon enough," Milly sneered, advancing toward Lilah with calculated steps.

Suddenly, the sound of rustling surrounded them. Gerard's men had arrived.

"Take her," Gerard commanded icily, his men moving quickly.

Milly cursed under her breath, and then hurried back to her car and sped away.

Gerard, now ignoring Milly, approached the dazed Lilah.

"To the hospital," he instructed, helping to settle Matthew into the back seat. Lilah watched in a daze as Gerard attended to him.

"There's something wrong with your GPS," he continued. "It took us some time to find you. There must be a signal jammer in Milly's car."

"I see," Lilah responded mechanically, her mind still reeling from Matthew's sacrifice.

“Lilah, I'm sorry..." Matthew's voice faded, heavy with guilt.

Hearing Matthew's weak voice, Lilah shook her head. "Don't speak. Conserve your energy. You weren't shot near your heart. You're likely to survive."

"No, no. If I don't speak now, I'll lose my chance," Matthew protested. Then he took her hand.

Lilah felt as though she had known the warmth of his grip long ago. This odd sensation brought a look of confusion to her eyes. She stared at Matthew as if he were a stranger. If only he could treat her as he used to.

A sadness suddenly enveloped her. Before, he had been cowardly and selfish, but now he showed selflessness. Why? Was it to burden her with guilt forever?

"Stop," she whispered.

“Lilah, I'm sorry."

"Stop!" Lilah's voice was a soft roar. In that moment, she couldn't tell who her anger was directed at.

“My daughter... Lilah—"

“Why did you do this? I'm not a child anymore. I don't need your protection now. Why did you do this?"

"I feel... guilty about you," Matthew confessed, sighing deeply. His voice was so weak it barely rose above his labored breathing. Despite the pain, he forced himself to speak. As he did, blood flowed from his lips, but he seemed unconcerned.

“Back then, your mother... came to me pregnant with you. My friend asked me to take care of her, but I failed you... I'm sorry. I've been selfish for too many years, always hoping she would return... I know... I owe you so much. I never sent you back because I hoped she would come back to see you. I wanted to see her again too. But... but she probably despises me. She hates how I treated you, keeping you away from your family all these years. I might be dying..."