Anastasia could leave, even if Maria refused, since she wasn't alone. Nonetheless, she didn't want things to end so badly for her aunt. Returning to the car, she looked back at the house, a flood of childhood memories washing over her.

"Would you like to stay a little longer?" Cameron asked, sitting beside her.

"No," Anastasia shook her head, knowing she shouldn't dwell on the past.

"Let's go," Cameron instructed the driver.

As the car pulled away, Anastasia watched the house recede, burying her head in her father's shoulder and sobbing, "Why? Why did things have to turn out this way?"

Cameron caressed her head, sighing. He felt her pain; he'd only shown Fabian and Maria mercy for his daughter's sake. Otherwise, Maria would have joined Fabian in a cold, damp cell. "It's just human nature," he murmured.

"I don't believe it," Anastasia looked up, her eyes teary. "Uncle Fabian and Aunt Maria cared for me since I was a child. Was it all an act?"

Cameron looked at her intently, brushing stray hairs from her face. "They might have genuinely cared for you then, but people change. Fabian and Maria were kind partly to please me, but I'm sure they still treated you as family. They've been blinded by greed." He sighed, equally saddened.

"What about Rhea?" Anastasia frowned, puzzled. "Do you think she treats me as family?"

"Well..." Cameron hesitated, unable to lie. He recalled Rhea's reserved, gloomy childhood. He'd visited his daughter at Fabian's house, bringing gifts—dolls, clothes, toys—but Rhea never used them. He hadn't thought much of it then, rarely visiting. Now, he realized Rhea must have hated him and Anastasia. It was a pity no one had known; he blamed himself for not realizing it sooner, for not saving his daughter from the suffering.

He wrapped his arm around Anastasia, gently pressing her shoulders. "Don't overthink it, okay? It's not your fault she committed those crimes."