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Instead of blamingherselffor ever believing any of the bullshit or even allowing her life to become what it did.

Another woman in the cycle of abuse who was now full of such self-hate that she’d broken. And she couldn’t take it out on her mate. There would be no point and probably punishments if she did.

Her son was technically innocent in it all and probably didn’t mistreat her. Except he would now not treat his mate as he should and she raised the man to behave that way—another sin in her eyes that she couldn’t accept.

None of this was excusable. No one should feel bad for her.

Maybe just feel bad for the girl she once was and this was her fate.

But now she was the monster she’d suffered through with her mother-in-law or whatever female family members haddone the same to her. Other women were the only outlet to abuse after years or decades of being kicked.

It was disgusting. It was… I would rather have walked into the ocean.

Not everyone could handle their lives going to shit or how to fix it all. The mother-in-law could have walked away at any point. She could now, and by the law she would be set. She couldleaveand be protected. But she didn’t. She’d clung onto the lie or promise that being the matriarch of the family meant something and she’d have some sort of power.

Until she realized the truth and they would forever lie to her. None of that was her daughter-in-law’s fault, but she blamed her. She blamed the woman sold like she’d been for not being able to choose the mate for her son.

It was all so ridiculous and horrible.

“It got worse when I gave birth to a daughter,” the woman told me. “Before then, it was just hazing and being her servant. Stuff you expect mating into money and my husband told me to just be patient with her and let her adjust. She stopped when I was pregnant, and I thought it was over. She cared more about being a grandmother.”

“But you realized it was that your husband was around more and checked in on everything—truly paying attention because you were carrying priceless cargo,” I offered.

She gave a slight nod and a pitying look. “You know from experience.”

“No, but I’m older than you and saw it again and again coming from a wealthy family,” I told her gently. “I ran. I blew up the first two sales for me, and things got much worse, so I ran.”

“I hate myself for wishing that I’d run, but then I wouldn’t have my daughter and she’s everything,” she choked out. “I’m a horrible mother.”

“You’re not, darling,” I comforted, moving onto the bed with her and holding her as best as I could. “You’re not. You kept your baby safe and got here. We’ll get you free and safe. I swear it. You made it. This is the day you protect your pup and we break this cycle so she never knows this pain—never knows the fear of being sold.”

I wiped my eyes a few times as the woman sobbed. It was in pain but also so much more.

Relief she was safe. Fear it wouldn’t last.

Hope I was right about her daughter though she was too exhausted to have much hope and she didn’t have faith in much anymore. I understood all of it.

I truly did.

But I did not fail the women I came across in this position. I never had and I never would. Not as long as they did as I said and stayed strong—followed the program we had in place.

I had all the ammo I needed once I got the list from the doctors for both mother and daughter. Also, the mother had been smart enough to record the mother-in-law this time… And apparently, several other times recently. Clearly, she’d hit her limit.

She was hesitant to give it over to me until she saw the security guard that I promised would be posted just for them and her daughter joined her in the private room. I went over the procedure of domestic abuse cases and how the room was under another name just to be safe. Also, it was flagged not to be disclosed in our system.

When her daughter told her that the doctors said I was an angel who saved women, that was the moment she let go of the phone. She had questions in her eyes that I didn’t make her ask.

“Besides running this place, I’m the founder of the largest domestic abuse shelter for vampires,” I explained. “And just like I told your daughter, one day when you’re safe and in your newlife, you will help someone as you are being helped. That is how we break this madness—thistraditionof selling women and allowing our own people to be treated this way.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I can’t even picture what it would be like to ever be able to help someone else. It’s like a reality beyond what I could dream of.”

I reached over and squeezed her hand. “The women who will help you said theexact same thingwhen they were helped. Listen to them and stick to the program to get free and you will be where they are someday. Trust us and do not listen to your husband or allow him to…”

The hate in her eyes said it all. Yeah, this wasn’t a case of backsliding or love could cloud too much.

Gerald was waiting for me in the hallway. “I didn’t know you were the founder of Amanda’s Hope. There’s no founder listed—people have talked for years wondering who Amanda is or how to find Amanda Hope.”

I searched his eyes and found only genuine curiosity and worry. “Amanda Hope died many,manyyears ago. She is the only reason I lived after I ran from my family. I named the foundation after her. That is not to be shared.”