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Thea stared into those eyes that had once mirrored her own as something broke inside of her. She could practically hear the crack. The moment when her heart finally accepted that her mom–this beautiful woman–was slowly dying from a disease with no cure.

Cancer. The old nemesis had taken her grandmother too–another woman who could have been a light in the darkness had she not died before Thea knew how to walk.

Her mother’s chin quivered as their stares locked. “I’m so sorry about what happened to you.”

Thea shook her head. “I’m okay. Let’s not talk about that.”

Her mom’s arms wrapped around her again. “I’m so proud of you. You did what I could never do, and I hope you never come back here.”

Thea tightened her hold. “No, Mom. I can’t leave you again.”

Her mother’s words were stronger this time. “You have to. Or else all of this will have been for nothing.”

Thea shook her head, wiping her cold tears in her mother’s hair. “I miss you so much.”

The soft caress of her mother’s hand trailed down Thea’s hair. “I miss you too, but you have a chance to get away from all this. Take it. Use it. Have the life you couldn’t have here.”

“But it won’t mean anything if you’re not there,” Thea cried. It was the horrible truth she’d been carrying for years. She’d escaped, just like her mom said. Why didn’t shefeelfree?

Because her mom wouldn’t be there to see any of it. A potentially full life with a husband, kids, and a successful career–it all fell flat when Thea remembered that the woman who’d loved and protected her wouldn’t be there for any of it.

“It’s not about me, baby. It’s about you.”

Thea pulled back, struck by a question she’d been dying to ask for years. “Why did you let him in? Why did you let that man into our home?”

Her mother sighed and shook her head. “No oneletsTommy do anything. I didn’t have a choice, and I still don’t. But you? You do. Get out of here.”

Everything twisted in her gut. Fear, injustice, and heartache–it was all fresh and raw, boiling into the hatred she knew all too well.

Thea’s jaw tightened. What she wouldn’t give to see Tommy Howard get what he deserved.

“Don’t let him have that power over you,” her mother said. “It’ll eat you alive if you let it.”

“He ruined everything,” Thea seethed through clenched teeth. “He took everything from us!”

“Keep your voice down,” her mother said.

The tears stung behind her eyes. Thea’s life had been one disappointment after another, but her mom had endured that sadness even longer. Maybe her mom’s life had been decent before she met and married Thea’s dad, but the years since had erased anything good there had ever been.

Her mother lifted a frail hand and brushed her fingertips over Thea’s cheek. “Hating him doesn’t help us.”

A sharp huff spewed from Thea’s chest. “It sure makes me feel better.”

“Does it?” her mom asked.

Thea paused to think, but the moment only confused her more. Did it make her feel better to hate Tommy? “It might.”

The hand on Thea’s cheek dropped to her shoulder. “You shouldn’t stay much longer. This is good-bye. I need you to promise that you won’t come back.”

The last shred of hope crumpled in her middle. “Mom, no. We can see each other. I can come back. We could find a way to talk on the phone.”

“You know he watches everything I do. I won’t risk your safety. You need to get out of here.”

Anger boiled inside Thea again, bringing on a warmth that the cold couldn't touch. Why couldn’t she have her mom? Why couldn’t she be here for her mom when she needed help? “Will you tell Emerson about any updates?” Thea asked with a shaky voice.

“I will, but you have to promise you won’t come back. Not even when I’m gone.”

“But, Mom–”