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“That’s true, but if I didn’t love him, I never would have had Adam for the few months that I did,” she whispered, and my tears continued when I thought about everything my sister had lost.

“I’m so sorry, Phoebe.” Standing on the street outside the hotel, I wanted to go back up. I wanted to beg him to forgive me and let me explain.

“Talk to me, Freyja.”

“How is Sarah doing?” I asked, avoiding my pain for a little of my sister’s joy.

The happiness I heard in her voice overtook all the pain I was feeling. “She’s doing great. Said her morning sickness feels like nothing after the triplets.” Phoebe was quiet for a moment before she added, “Enough avoidance. Tell me what happened.”

Inhaling the cold winter air into my lungs, I told Phoebe everything as I walked. She knew about Lucille and Mardi Gras. I told her about meeting Duncan twice, about dinner, our night together, and how I ended it.

With my coat pulled tight against the wind, I strolled without direction. Having a sister was like having a best friend for life. I was blessed with two sisters. They weren’t as different as night and day, but they each had their own unique way of looking at things.

Like I did.

Together, we helped each other see what was right in front of our eyes but invisible to us. When I reached the coffee shop, I ducked inside and sat at a table.

“It sounds to me like maybe you were supposed to meet this man.”

“That’s what Mom said. Even Dad agreed that maybe I needed to learn something.”

“So, what did you learn?” she asked.

Staring out the window, I watched as Maxim Federov and Illyria Valentinetti walked arm in arm. Maxim’s words at the restaurant washed over me. His warning about Duncan surprised me.

Maxim was Russian Bratva. His past had come back to hurt his wife and her family. They had survived the horrific things his brother had done, but the collateral damage had been substantial.

Was the Boston Mob any different? Or was it personal against Duncan himself? Would being involved with Duncan hurt my family or others that I loved? I watched the couple until they were out of sight and then answered my sister.

“I learned not to tempt fate.” My voice was filled with resolve.

“Freyja...”

“Thanks, Phoebe. I can’t tell you how much this helped. But I must go. Love you!” I disconnected the call without waiting for her to respond.

If I’d never accepted Duncan’s invitation, I wouldn’t know what I was missing. And since I knew my soulmate was waiting for me at Mardi Gras, I should never have tempted fate with someone else.

I had no one to blame but myself.

My selfishness had hurt Duncan, and I hated it. But nothing could change that now. I had to forgive myself. And I hoped that he would forgive me as well.

Not that I would ever know. I didn’t plan on ever seeing Duncan Murphy again.

I entered the house with a new outlook. I wouldn’t say I was happy. I wasn’t. Not with the way things had ended with Duncan.

But I was content.

Content to wait the six weeks until I went to Mardi Gras. At least that was what I told myself and others.

“You’re home.”

Athena stopped halfway down the stairs. She tilted her head to look at me.

“Stop reading my mind. I’m fine.”

“You aren’t fine. You’re hurting.”

“I already talked to Phoebe and worked everything out in my heart. No need to go over it again.”