"Phoenix," I whisper, trying to find any trace of the man I once loved in those hardened eyes. "Please. Take me instead," I say, my voice steadier than I feel. "Let them go, and I'll do whatever you want. My life for theirs."
My heart pounds so violently, I'm certain everyone can hear it. The faces of Boston's most powerful families blur around me as I focus solely on Phoenix's hardened expression. Somewherebehind me, I hear Brigit whimper, and it takes everything in me not to turn to her.
“Phoenix.” Ash steps up behind him, putting his hand on his shoulder. He leans in, whispering something in his ear.
His jaw tightens as he shrugs off Ash’s hand.
"This isn't about her.” I gesture toward Brigit without looking away from him. "She's innocent. She deserves a chance at a life without all this violence and revenge."
“No, you can’t.” Brigit moves toward me, but Blaise stops her.
“Your quarrel is with me and my parents. Not with a child who's done nothing wrong.” Please, God, help me find the words to save Brigit and Nanny Fiona.
“Phoenix.” This time, it’s Blaise who has positioned himself between Brigit and him. “She doesn’t need to watch this.”
I turn to look at Brigit, my heart breaking at the sight of her wide, terrified eyes. Tears stream down her face, her small body trembling uncontrollably.
"It's okay, sweetheart," I say, forcing a calmness into my voice I don't feel. "Look at me, Brigit. Just look at me."
Her eyes find mine, desperate for reassurance I'm not sure I can honestly give. But I have to try. For her.
"I love you. More than anything." Inside, my stomach twists with fear so potent it's like acid burning through me.
I watch Phoenix's face, searching desperately for any sign of mercy.
"Take them back to their rooms," Phoenix orders, his voice emotionless. "Double the guard. No one enters or leaves without my explicit permission."
Relief floods through me, even as I know this isn’t resolved. At least for now, they’ll be safe. But the momentary relief evaporates when Phoenix's cold eyes lock with mine.
"I'll deal with you later," he says, each word slicing through my heart.
A guard grips my arm, pulling me to my feet and marching me away. I’m tugged upstairs behind Nanny Fiona and Brigit.
“Please, can we all be in the same room?” I ask the man hauling me upstairs.
“Boss says back to your rooms.”
“I want to be with Keira,” Brigit cries, trying to break from the guard’s grip.
"It's okay, sweetheart,” I try to soothe her, although it’s quite possible I’m lying to her.
I’m pushed into my room, the door slamming behind me. Something inside me finally breaks. My legs give out and I crumple to the floor, my wedding dress billowing around me. The sobs that come from me are deep and primal.
I've failed her. My beautiful daughter. The one person I swore to protect above all others.
I drag myself to the bathroom and vomit. My hands shake violently as I splash cold water on my face, avoiding my reflection in the mirror. I can't bear to see the woman who put her child in danger.
Back in the bedroom, I sit on the edge of the bed, feeling helpless, hopeless.
A soft knock interrupts my spiraling thoughts. The door opens before I can respond, and Jenna slips inside.
"I was checking the flower arrangements when I heard… commotion," she says hesitantly, closing the door behind her. "I wanted to check if you're okay."
A bitter laugh escapes my throat. "Okay? My fiancé wants to execute me and my daughter."
The words hang between us before I realize what I've admitted. It isn’t until Jenna's eyes widen that I realize I’ve made another error. After ten years of guarding this secret, I've just blurted it out to a virtual stranger.
"Brigit is your daughter?" Jenna whispers, crossing the room to sit beside me.
