Page 32 of Queen of Diamonds

She was that baby, yet it seemed as if they were talking about someone else. Their childhoods hadn’t been close to the wonderful life she’d had with her mother. “How old were you when that happened?”

“Nine.”

She reached across the table and put her hand on his. “A child shouldn’t have to witness a scene like that, much less understand it for what it was.” She was beginning to get why her mother hadn’t revealed her secrets. The memories of being married to a man capable of that kind of violence would have been ones she’d do her best to forget.

Court gave her the ghost of a smile. “I know, but I still should have known better.”

“He didn’t tell Nate or me about witnessing that fight when it happened,” Alex said. “Then when she walked away, Nate followed her to the highway. A man who’d worked for our old man doing odd jobs picked her up. Nate thought she was leaving us for him, and he kept that to himself because he didn’t want us to think the worst of her. Once all of this came out, Nate tracked the man down and found out all he’d done was drive her to the bus station.”

“Please don’t cry,” Alex said when she swiped at the tears rolling down her cheeks. “From what you’ve told us, she was happy in her life with you. We don’t blame her for leaving.”

“The tears aren’t for her. She was happy and had a good life. My heart hurts for the three of you, being left with someone that cruel.”

Court shook his head. “She did what she had to do to save you. We wouldn’t change a thing about that.”

That was the moment her heart filled with unconditional love for her brothers.