The coldness in Debra''s eyes deepened.


    Cathrynughed mockingly, "Debra, this is all you''ve got? All you ever do is talk big with nothing to back it up."


    "If I do that," Debra said, "you''d let Liza go, right?"


    "Of course. If you die, I''ll let her walk free," Cathryn said, ncing at Liza. "We''re friends. I don''t want to hurt her. I just want you dead."


    Liza''s heart sank. She didn''t believe for a second that Debra would do that for her.


    Debra turned to Frederic and extended her hand. "Give me the knife."


    Frederic didn''t move, and she frowned. "I said, give it to me."


    When Frederic still didn''t respond, she added, "I''m doing this to save yourdy. If something happens to Liza, how will you exin it to Fermin?"


    But Frederic still refused toply. Debra leaned in closer and lowered her voice. "Trust me. Just give me the knife."


    Frederic''s gaze flicked to the gun in Debra''s right hand. Something clicked in his mind, and he slowly handed her the knife.


    Debra turned back to Cathryn. "So, if I stab myself in the heart and die right here, you''ll let her go?"


    "Absolutely," Cathryn said.


    "Fine," Debra said simply. She held the knife against her chest, aiming for her heart.


    Liza''s panicked voice rang out. "Debra, you don''t have to do this. We''re not even that close, and I hate owing anyone anything."


    Debra tilted her head in confusion. "Miss Eaton, I thought you disliked me. If I die, shouldn''t you be happy?"


    "I do hate you, but it''s not like I''d be thrilled about your death," Liza said.


    Debraughed, "Don''t worry. Consider this a gift. You can pay me back in the afterlife."


    "Don''t be ridiculous!" Liza shouted.


    Debra decided not to tease her further. She raised the knife high, feigning another dramatic move toward her chest.


    But before she could make contact, a voice suddenly echoed from behind Cathryn. "Put the knife down."


    It was Marion, his tone steady and unyielding as ever.


    Cathryn froze, her body stiffening as


    she felt the cold barrel of a gun press against her back. The knife slipped from her trembling fingers and ttered to the ground.


    "Marion," she stammered, but Marion didn''t respond.


    Liza freed herself and delivered a sharp p


    O to Cathryn''s face. Sheet


    intended to strike again but stopped herself at thest second.


    Lowering her arm, she fought back her tears and said coldly, "This is thest time I''ll ever care about you, Cathryn. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."


    Cathryn copsed to the ground, defeated and alone.


    Marion approached Debra, his expression stern. "If I hadn''t shown up, were you really going to stab yourself?"


    "Of course not," Debra replied breezily. "I spotted youing from a mile away."


    Lowering her voice with a yful smirk, she added, "I was just messing with Liza. I''d never hurt myself."novelbin