Were You Expecting Something Yuliana bowed deeply to Cecilia. “I was such a fool. You’re my real cousin-we share the same blood-and yet, I believed a liar over you.”

Her voice caught in her throat. “If you hadn’t exposed my mistake, I might have become an accomplice to murder, living the rest of my life in guilt. I truly owe you my thanks, Cecilia.”

She had once refused to acknowledge Cecilia, but now she had completely changed her tune. Gone was her arrogance from when they first met.

Sniffling, Yuliana added, “Cecilia, once I graduate, I’ll work for you. I’ll do anything you ask. From now on, you’ll be my boss.”

Cecilia listened to her words, finding them both sincere and a little childish. She reached down and pulled Yuliana up. “Enough. Stop bowing.”

Yuliana straightened, her wide eyes fixed on Cecilia. “Cecilia,” she pleaded, “can you forgive me?”

As soon as she said it, guilt flooded her. It felt as if she were trying to pressure Cecilia into forgiving her. “I misspoke… Don’t forgive me,” she quickly corrected herself. “Anyway, I’ll always be in your debt.”