Page 43 of Redemption

She has to look at me. She has to come back to me. Because even though she’s right beside me, we’ve never been farther apart.

“I’m sorry I’m a disappointment to you.” Another tear rolls down her cheek.

“You could never disappoint me. You’re everything to me. You’re all that matters. Abigail!”

She flinches and hugs her arms over her bare chest, shivering despite the heat of the bath.

“Two days ago, that would’ve been everything I wanted to hear,” she admits quietly. “You can’t possibly understand how horrific those words are now. You are incapable of understanding.”

“Then explain it to me,” I insist.

Or am I begging?

“I’ve already explained it, and you didn’t want to listen. Instead, you chose to violate me again. You forcibly subdued me to shut me up and make me a compliant, obedient little pet. That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“No.” The word is almost a groan. “That’s not what I want.”

“Well, that’s what you got. That’s all I have left. It’s all I can offer you.”

“Abigail…” I choke on her name.

I open my mouth to try again, but a sound deeper in the manor puts me on high alert. Someone is here.

Have the staff returned despite my bribes?

“Daniel! I know you’re here. Come out and face me.”

My chest tightens.

No.

My brother can’t be here. He can’t see her.

Especially not like this.

Not like I’ve…broken her.

The prospect makes me dizzy with nausea.

“Stay here, little dove. I’ll handle this.”

I don’t want to leave her alone right now, but she can’t be part of this confrontation. She’s in a delicate enough state as it is. She doesn’t need to witness a shouting match with my little brother. Or worse.

The last time I saw him, it came to blows.

He was just a kid, and still, he tried to take me on.

That was his mistake. I don’t possess the capacity for mercy, not even when it comes to my own flesh and blood.

Especially not when it comes to them.

I straighten and force myself to walk away from her. She doesn’t protest or make a single sound of complaint when I leave.

She’s probably glad to be rid of me.

Pain knifes through my chest, and for a moment, I think there might be something medically wrong with me. I’ve never felt this before. Surely, it’s a sign of some terrible malady.

But I’m in excellent health.