Chapter 1965

"Honey, you're scaring the kid," Debra said, turning to me. "Don't worry. This guy looks tough, but he's a softie."

"Softie?" Marion mumbled, but he didn't argue.

I whispered, "Mrs. Houston, you're so gorgeous. Why did you marry him?"

It was a question I'd always had.

Marion was handsome in his youth, but Debra was a knockout. She must've had suitors lining up.

She had told me stories of the past, but I'd struggled to process them. I'd even thought that Juan was a jerk.

But in this world, I realized Debra could've stayed single and still lived a bold, free life.

"What's that?" Marion snorted. "Can't infiltrate, so you're trying to drive a wedge?"

His eyes in the rearview mirror were sharp, making me shrink.

"Love doesn't follow logic," Debra replied. "You'll get it when you meet someone you can't resist."

She paused, then asked, "By the way, you got a boyfriend?"

I gave an awkward laugh. "I'm too young for that. Haven't dated yet."

"What's your type?"

"Hmm... Not too ugly, ideally as good-looking as my dad was back then. As sharp, rich, and tough as my godfather and uncles. They say only someone like that deserves me."

"They're brutal," Debra chuckled.

Few men in this world could live up to all that. It would basically leave Lillian single forever.

"By the way, are we going to have a showdown with the Illuminati?" I asked, changing the topic.

"With this crew? That's a suicide mission. She leaned back. "We're just scoping things out. But it's still dangerous. You and your friend outside and wait." s

I nodded silently.

The van soon reached the pass outside the Illuminati's base.

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Everyone got out, preparing gear for the trekn Debra ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ Find1Novel.net

every trip into that mountainer

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While Marion helped her suit up, Randy turned to us. "You two stay here. Don't move an inch, or else..."

He made a throat-slitting gesture.

Neither Solomon nor I flinched, aware of his scare tactics. We had grown up with him pulling this stuff.

"Keep an eye on them," Debra ordered. "Don't let them wander in this jungle."

"Yes, ma'am," replied one of the guards.

She slipped on gloves, then turned to me. "Oh, what's your name?"

"Lillian. My mom said time slips

away and life's tough. Their journey's been full of moments worth remembering, so they name me Lillian." s

"Lillian," she muttered. "That's a beautiful name."

"Right? My mom picked it." My eyes welled up.

The trip into the mountains was treacherous.

I'd never truly grasped what that meant before. Now I saw it.

My parents were incredible, but they were still human. Humans would age, get hurt, and die.