Chapter 22: Because Of Him

"I return Fiona's almost-smile, feeling that odd combination of sick and excited again. Fiona won't be any more explicit than she already has been, but she's given me the answer as best she can.

"Thank you," I tell her. Then quickly add, "For watching after my dad, of course."

"Just doing my job." She's already bent her head over the computer again. I turn and head back toward Dad's room.

So my suspicions were right. I don't know how I feel about that - my emotions are too jumbled to make much sense. I still don't really understand why Orlando would do something this huge for me, even if he feels guilty about what happened last night.

I try not to let it disrupt my afternoon with my parents. They look so happy and relieved that I don't want to spoil the mood with my confused feelings. My dad looks better than he has in a long time, and I'd do anything to keep that spark in his eyes, even accept charity from Orlando Fontaine.

Justin and I hang out for a few hours, talking about our