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In selfish moments, I blamed my mother for what she did all those years ago. For the unbearable pain she inflicted on my dad. For the void she left in our lives.

But what if it was like this? An impulsive decision in a moment when her pain was at its peak and—against all odds—she wasn’t afraid.

It gives me compassion for her that I never knew until now.

“Ava.”

Damian’s voice is low. Measured.

“Stay where you are. I’m coming.” Soft footsteps sound behind me. “Don’t move an inch, love.”

“Ava, come down.” It’s Rhett’s voice.

“Quiet!” Damian snaps before softening his voice. “Just stay there, precious girl.”

The sea surges below, waves crashing into the rocks. What would it feel like to hit the rocks? Would it hurt?

I hope not. I don’t want her to have suffered—for her last moments to have been filled with even more pain.

Another step sounds behind me, much closer now.

“I’m not going to hurt him, and I need you to listen to me. Fall back. I’ve got you.”

The wind lifts my dress. I turn my head slightly, and that’s when I see it?—

Damian’s face is as white as a sheet. He flinches. “Ava, don’t move. Please.” His voice is broken.

I swallow. “Promise me you won’t hurt Rhett. Ever.”

His jaw tightens. He looks like he’s going to burst from his skin. “I swear.”

I nod before turning my head forward. Damian hisses. It’s time to free him from his agony.

I fall back. An instant later, I’m caught by a pair of hard arms. Damian’s breath shudders. A ragged, breathless sob.

And then his lips are on my face. Everywhere. Desperate, uncontrolled kisses. My forehead, my temple, my cheeks.

Fast. Frantic. Shaking.

His hands clutch me too tightly, like he’s not convinced he really caught me. He threads his fingers into my hair, pressing my forehead to his. His chest shakes against mine.

He breaks away just a little, and everything shifts. Rage pulses from him, sharp and electric.

“If you ever try that again, I’ll kill you.”

Hysterical laughter bubbles from my chest. “That threat is second nature to you, I guess, even when it’s illogical. It’ll never work on me again.” I shake my head slowly. “It wasn’t scary. Which I guess is even more terrifying. I need to write about the whole experience sometime. I still don’t understand how I?—”

“Shut your fucking mouth, Ava.” His eyes are wild. “Unless you want me to scare you straight. You didn’t jump. That’s why you weren’t afraid.” His nostrils flare. “You stood there. You imagined it. You toyed with it. But you don’t know. Death is only romantic when it’s hypothetical.”

A sharp breath escapes him. His jaw tightens as he moves to the door and cracks it open. “You,” he calls out to someone. “Now. And you.”

A moment later, two men in black burst through the door. “These two are traitors. Take them to the dungeons.”

Rhett lets out a groan. “Not her. Please, Damian.”

Damian’s eyes are ablaze. “She’s not your concern.” He turns to one of the men. “Actually, take him now. I need a moment with her.”

The man takes Rhett through the door.