“A day ago, you were ready to call yourself my wife, and you think it’s not my place to protect you?” His words struck deep, triggering a gush of guilt and confusion that fueled a new surge of anger. “Protect me from who, Oran?” I demanded, raising the gun. “From yourself, goddammit,” he roared back at me. He wanted to stop me from what I’d been doing—from finding answers. Stop me from finding my sister. It was exactly what I’d feared. The very worst-case scenario. My breath hitched as I took a small step forward. “You don’t have to protect me anymore. Just tell me the f*****g truth,” I cried, my face twisted in agony. “Are you trying to get into the Society? Is that what this whole thing has been about?” Oran’s hands went up at his sides, his eyes widening. “I don’t know what the f**k you
