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A year later, I returned from a trip around the world. My roses were in full bloom. I took photos, caressed the petals, even shed a few tears of joy. The doorbell rang. I scowled, expecting Mark. It was Mrs. Davis. She wasn’t
in uniform.
“Mrs. Davis? You quit?”
“I left. Months ago.” She looked troubled. “Ethan… he’s changed. He’s violent. He attacks the staff. We were all terrified. Everyone left.”
I remained silent.
“He’s been looking for you, Mrs. Morris. He
stopped going to school. He just… calls for you. But he can’t find you.” She sighed. “And the
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company… it’s falling apart. They offended
some powerful businessman from Connecticut.
He’s destroying them.”
Connecticut?
“David Zhou?” I asked casually.
“Yes! That’s the name.” Mrs. Davis looked sympathetic. “Ethan went to Connecticut and…
I heard he attacked Mr. Zhou’s son. Put him in
the hospital. Started a feud.”
Peter? In the hospital? “Is he alright?”
“He’s fine. Ethan’s the one who’s not alright.
He’s… unraveling. Depressed, manic. He even
attacks Mr. Morris sometimes.” She shook her
head. “Mr. Morris is a broken man, Mrs. Morris.
Stressed, overworked, ill… he’s no match for
Ethan. It’s a tragedy.”
It did sound tragic. But I felt nothing. The
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Lethean Elixir was truly miraculous. I almost
laughed.
