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O dessa Hayes slipped off her engagement ring, set it on the counter, and took a long agonizing breath. A life-changing breath. The kind of breath that signified a massive change. A necessary change.

This time, she was done.

No way would she take him back.

Grant Mercer was a controlling man who cared about three things and three things only.

Money. Power. Status.

She reached for the open bottle of wine, poured half a glass, and glanced at the time. She should be concerned about the seconds ticking away and what that meant. But she wasn’t. Not anymore. What little she had was packed in her suitcases and tucked away in the trunk of her car. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.

Although, waiting for him to return home so he could do his best to talk her out of leaving him might not be her brightest idea. But if she didn’t, he’d eventually hunt her down. Grant wasn’t the kind of man to take no for an answer. To him, the first three nos meant maybe.

At first, she found that trait to be a bit charming, mostly because he wasn’t overly aggressive. He was there for her when life had kicked her hard. He showed up when her parents had died. He held her hand through all the tough decisions. He’d even backed off trying to date her during that time. He’d been so sweet it became impossible not to fall in love.

However, it had all been a ruse to rob her of every penny her parents had left her and then steal her dignity.

The moment they settled into a relationship, things changed. It was subtle at first. He’d tell her he didn’t want her to worry about a thing. That he and his team would handle everything. When she asked about investing, he’d brush her off or tell her just enough to wet her whistle. He kept her bank account fat enough that she believed her parents’ life insurance was protected.

Only, it wasn’t.

He stole every fucking penny and she’d been dumb enough to sign on the dotted line.

Then came the blows to her self-esteem. He’d say things like maybe you should wear the other dress, but it’s really up to you. I think you look beautiful in either one. Then he’d toss in a second comment about how he still preferred one over the other.

Her favorite, though, was when he started in on her hair color and style.

Again, it was nice to have someone who cared, but Grant only cared about how she dressed up his arm. How having a woman who would do what he wanted, when he wanted it, somehow made him more powerful.

But three months ago, she noticed Leslie Anne, the IT manager at one of the dealerships, had subtly changed her hair color and had let it grow. She also changed her flair for fashion and handbags.

Odessa didn’t need to be a detective to figure out her fiancé was dipping his dipstick in another woman’s oil well.

She climbed onto the stool, lifted the glass, and sipped slowly. Damn, she would miss this expensive wine. But not enough to stay with Grant. One year was long enough. Too long, if she was being honest, but she didn’t dare examine too closely the reasons why she’d chosen to stay.

Only now, she had to face the reality that she was alone—and broke. She’d lost friendships because of Grant and his controlling ways.

Facing them, especially Thane, wasn’t going to be easy. Everyone thought she’d been crazy when she’d taken Grant back the last time. No one cared that he wasn’t physically abusive; they all agreed he was a shit and that because of him—she’d changed.

But Odessa saw a softer side to Grant. And he did have one. Except he used it to get what he wanted. It was all about manipulation and control and she didn’t see it until it was too late.

The roar of an engine filled her ears. Grant loved his sports car. It was one of his most prized possessions. No one was allowed to eat or drink in that damn vehicle. He washed the thing almost every day. She no longer wondered if he cared about his money and material things more than he cared about people. She knew that to be fact. The rumble cut off and deafening silence once again filled the air.

Her heart rattled her chest.

Stay strong.

Squaring her shoulders, she sat up taller. As if that would give her the courage to stand up to the great charismatic Grant Mercer.

The large diamond marquise-cut ring glared at her from the counter. It was a whole carat and it was gorgeous, but it was a bit flashy and pretentious. Sparkly and made a statement. The wrong kind of statement. The ring was more about him and his tastes than what mattered to her. However, Grant couldn’t have cared less what she wanted.

All he cared about was impressing others. He showed her off like a trophy he’d pulled off the shelf. As if she was something he’d won. A prize to be coveted and valued. However, not for what she brought to the table. Not for her smarts. Or for even being human. But because he’d fought hard to achieve something, and she was the flashy thing at the end of the rainbow.

And for a while, because of her event planning business, she bought into the idea that he was proud of her and her accomplishments. All the gifts he showered her with made her feel unique and important.

Until they didn’t.

The door opened and in strolled Grant. He had this confident swagger that at first she wished she could emulate. Now all it did was annoy her.

“I’m surprised you beat me home.” He smiled, meandering into the kitchen like he didn’t have a care in the world. He tossed his keys on the counter and set his computer bag on one of the stools. “How was your…” He paused, glancing between her and the ring. “Why aren’t you wearing this?” Gently, he lifted it between his thumb and forefinger. “You know how I feel about you taking it off.”

“We need to talk,” she managed through a thick lump in her throat. She saw no point in dragging this out. Besides, if she didn’t do it, she might back out.

“Jesus, not this again.” He set the ring back down and pushed it in front of her. “I’m not in the mood to deal with one of your temper tantrums. Put that back on.” He ducked his head into the fridge, snagged a beer, and cracked it open. “I can’t imagine what set you off this time, but it’s getting old.”

“Not only am I tired of you telling me what to do, but now you’re getting involved in my business. How could you?” Her eyes burned, but she’d be damned if she’d let the tears fall. Her parents had raised her to be a strong, independent woman. Somewhere in the last year, she’d abandoned everything that made up who she was as a person. Her father would be so disappointed.

Grant leaned against the counter and arched a brow. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play dumb with me. It’s not a good look.” She bit down on her lower lip. Pushing Grant’s buttons wasn’t a good idea in general. He’d never once touched her, but he could be mean. His words cut through her heart like a knife.

“I’m not.” He took a big swig of his beer. “Why don’t you tell me what you think I did so I can defend myself.” He glanced at his watch. “We have to leave for dinner in thirty minutes, so let’s make this quick.”

“First, I’m not going anywhere with you,” she said. “Second, you canceled an event I had accepted last week and committed me to a party for Rufus, of all people. That makes me and my business look bad.”

“Seriously? That’s what got your panties in a wad?” He chugged his beer. “How many times do we have to have this conversation? You keep taking jobs that are beneath my status in this community.” He raised his hand. “If you must continue working after we’re married, at least schedule events that make sense. Not stupid little birthday parties for people who have no social standing. That does nothing for you but make you look like a two-bit party planner, not a big-time event coordinator.” He pushed from the counter, rinsed out his beer can, and sashayed across the room like he was some kind of diplomat or something. He rested his hand on her shoulder.

It took all the energy she had not to shrug it off. “Oh, and Rufus is high society?” She swallowed her breath. She never understood Rufus’ and Grant’s relationship. The only thing they had in common was they were both born into money. But Rufus had been a rebel without a cause in high school. Their only connection back then had been football and drugs.

After they graduated, Rufus joined the military. When he came back, he opened a private security firm. That firm handled all security for every dealership Grant owned.

“He’s a businessman in this community. People respect him.” Grant squeezed a little too tightly. “You’re about to be my wife. I have a reputation to maintain and standards. You need to live up to those. Rufus has important contacts—government contacts—and that means I could sell a fleet of cars to them. That’s a big deal. If you insist on having a career—which isn’t necessary at all—then you need to consider what’s best for our future.” He dared to kiss her cheek. “But when the time comes for us to have children, you will give it up. Now, I’m going to go take a shower. I expect you to be ready when I get out.” He headed toward the hallway but turned at the base of the stairs. “Oh, and wear that cute little red number I like. I’ll lay it out on the bed for you.” He waved his hand over his head. “Put your hair up. It’s more sophisticated that way. This dinner is important, so try not to ramble too much and do not swear. I hope you’ve been reading those books I gave you. We really need to work on your knowledge and vocabulary.” And with that statement, he disappeared up the stairs.

She didn’t bother confronting him about Leslie Anne. What would have been the point? He would have denied that too. He would have called her paranoid.

Just like he had when she asked him about her money.

How could she have been so blind? Had she been that desperate for love after her parents died that she hadn’t seen any of the signs until it was too late? God, how she missed her folks. They had been her biggest supporters. Her champions. They loved her without question. Never judged her life choices, not even when she decided to leave college after her second year and travel. They understood how heartbroken she’d been when she and Thane had broken up.

Thane had been her world. Her everything. They had made so many plans for their future, but she hadn’t anticipated how hard military life would be. She tried. She had given it her all.

But it wasn’t enough.

And she wasn’t about to ask Thane to give up his dreams. He thrived in the Marines. It had become his calling. Twice they tried to get back together, but she could never bring herself to move. Fallport was her home. It’s where she wanted to spend her life. Thane’s original contract with the Marines had been for six years. That wasn’t forever.

But she couldn’t ask him to turn his back on something that gave him purpose. That would have been selfish and he would have ended up resenting it. Just like if she had followed him, she would have loathed their life together.

Then he got married and broke her heart.

After her parents passed, Grant came in like a knight in shining armor. He gave her a shoulder to cry on. At the time, his controlling ways felt more like love and devotion. As if all he wanted was for her to be happy and he knew exactly what she needed.

Looking back, she could see clearly how he stripped her of all her power and she was now left with nothing but a few thousand dollars in the bank and a car, which he’d technically bought for her, but at least it was in her name.

And that was it because two months ago he’d sold her family home and everything in it. Sure, she’d signed off on the sale and moved in with him. However, deep down she knew she was making a mistake.

Everyone knew.

Including Thane, and he’d even told her so. One of the few times he hadn’t been nice about it since his return to Fallport, Virginia.

Seeing Thane again had been a gut punch. She knew he’d gotten divorced, but they had stopped communicating when he married.

Gripping the door, she stepped out into the warm summer evening air. She’d been dating Grant for about three months when Thane had returned after leaving the Marines. Grant made it quite clear she was to stay as far away from Thane as possible.

Thane was not only her past, but he was a man whom she’d once had a relationship with and Grant didn’t like it when people gossiped—about her. If she even looked at Thane, Grant would get upset.

Always a double standard.

She scurried toward her vehicle, climbed behind the steering wheel, and texted Sylvia and Chrissy.

They were the only friends she had left, though both relationships were strained. But they both told her if she ever left Grant, they would be there to help her pick up the pieces.

Odessa: I did it. I gave the ring back. And I left. I mean left, left. Packed my bags and now I’m homeless. LOL. I’ve got a hotel room for tonight while I figure things out. I’m heading to On The Rocks. I haven’t been there in almost a year. Anyone care to join me?

Chrissy: I’m stuck at the ER for the next hour. How about you pick up takeout? We can meet back at my place. I’ve got the whole weekend off!

The first tear fell. At least she hadn’t totally burned that bridge. The last time she’d spoken to Chrissy, they’d fought. Hard.

Sylvia: Let’s meet at my house. I’ll be home in thirty and cancel the hotel. You’re staying with me.

The tears flowed freely.

Odessa: I would love that. One thing, though, and it’s not what you think. I don’t want a big pity party. I don’t want the gossip. So, please don’t tell the world I dumped Grant. Everyone will know soon enough.

Sylvia: At least you’re saying YOU dumped that jerk. And I get it. Gossip in this town sucks. How about we go camping this weekend? It will be like old times.

Chrissy: Grant’s going to deny it anyway, so no reason to even talk about it. And camping sounds amazing. I could use a little girls’ trip. See you bitches soon!

Odessa pressed the start button and without looking back, she pulled away from the big house on the corner lot with the massive pool in the backyard. She didn’t need Grant or his money. What she needed was to find her old self and rebuild her life in a way that would make her parents proud.

Thane Bishop didn’t go out to dinner very often, much to his mother’s dismay. She constantly tried to get him to have a more active social life. Both with his buddies and with the ladies.

Specifically when it came to Odessa.

His mom meant well, but she didn’t seem to understand that the moment Odessa accepted that damn fucking engagement ring, Thane was totally out of the running.

Not that he was ever in the running.

Just because she’d broken up with Grant once didn’t mean she’d do it again. Besides, what Thane and Odessa had was a long time ago. Hell, they were barely friends now, and she’d made it clear that she didn’t want him in her life.

Thane pulled open the door to On The Rocks and glanced around. The nice thing about Zeke’s place was that Grant Mercer wouldn’t be caught dead in it. He believed a place like On The Rocks was beneath him. Everything was beneath Grant. The man was an arrogant prick and Thane couldn’t understand what Odessa saw in him. She wasn’t a flashy girl. At least not when they had been together. But a lot had changed over the years.

“Hey, man.” Zeke Calhoun, the bar owner, waved from behind the counter. “It’s good to see you out… socially.”

Thane chuckled. He was used to the razzing. He’d grown up on it, having been more of an introvert. “Every once in a while, I suffer through dealing with people.” He shook Zeke’s hand.

“The gang’s at the table in the back corner,” Zeke said. “They have a few pitchers of beer, but I know how much you like an espresso martini. Can I bring you one?”

“I’d absolutely love one, thanks.” Thane nodded. Zeke hadn’t been a part of the community when he’d left for the Marines. But Zeke certainly had been a welcome addition. As well as some of the new search and rescue crew members. All of them were worth getting out of his shell more often.

“It won’t take but a couple of minutes,” Zeke said. “Tell the guys I’ll bring some apps as well.”

“You’re the best.” He zigzagged through the Thursday night crowd to the far corner. Sitting in the booth was his old friend Blaze. They had first met back in the Marines. Next to Blaze was Weston, who married Haven, a local girl Thane had known most of his life. Across from Weston were his two cousins, Ethan and Rocky.

Now those two were quite interesting. Polar opposites in many ways, but they were great men. The kind of men you wanted at your six when going into battle.

“You made it,” Weston said. “Thought maybe you were going to stand us up.”

“My mother would have chased me out of the house if I tried to cancel,” Thane admitted. “Sometimes I think she’s tired of having me around.”

“How is your mom?” Ethan asked. “Is she feeling any better?”

“She has good and bad days.” Thane eased into the booth. The first six months after his dad passed away, his mom struggled to function emotionally. But it was her autoimmune disorder that now reared its ugly head. She’d been dealing with multiple sclerosis for years, but lately it had been causing her some real problems. “Where’s Chuck and Jett?”

“Chuck had some things going on with the kids and Jett’s on baby duty tonight,” Blaze said. “Talon and Lincoln still might join us, but it’s up in the air.”

One of the waitresses appeared carrying a tray of appetizers and Thane’s drink.

“How can you drink those things?” Weston said. “Besides the fact I’d be up all night, you look like a moron.”

Thane laughed. He raised his glass, making sure he stuck out his pinky before bringing it to his lips. “Hmmmm, that’s delish.”

“You’re such a girl.” Rocky shook his head.

“Don’t let my wife hear you talk like that,” Weston said with an arched brow.

Thane leaned back, shifting his gaze. He promised his mom he’d at least check out the possible single girls. He spotted two. Unfortunately, he’d known them back in the day. One was recently divorced and he knew the reason why.

He didn’t want to deal with that baggage.

The other lady was also divorced with two small children.

Nope. He wasn’t interested in being a stepfather. If that made him an asshole, then he’d gladly wear that badge. It wasn’t that he didn’t like children, because he did. He loved them. At one time, he thought he wanted a couple of his own. But his life didn’t turn out that way.

Besides, between his father’s death and his mother’s health problems, he didn’t have time to date.

There. He checked out a few of the singles. He’d kept his promise and he wouldn’t be lying to his mama.

“Don’t look now, but Odessa just walked through the front door,” Rocky said.

Thane’s heart jumped to his throat at the mere mention of her name. He resented that she had that effect. Resented that one week with her had stirred up all those damn love feelings he had for her that he believed he’d put to rest years ago. He shouldn’t care so deeply. What they had ended when she couldn’t commit and fell in love with someone else. It didn’t matter that his marriage failed; he’d accepted that he and Odessa were over.

Until she’d shown up at his doorstep the first time she and Grant had broken up. That lasted all of a week.

But it was just long enough to fuck with Thane’s head.

He glanced over his shoulder. There she stood, in the center of the bar, clutching her purse. Her eyes were big, and they shifted left and right, as if she were searching for someone.

Anyone.

“What the hell is she doing here?” Thane muttered. “This is not the kind of place she and Grant hang out.” His gaze zoned in on her left hand.

No ring.

That didn’t mean shit.

He’d been married for four years and his ex-wife used to take hers off to have it cleaned all the time.

The real question he should be asking himself was why the fuck did he bother looking?

Or why was he pushing himself to a standing position to meet her in the middle of the bar?

Perhaps it was the confused and sad look etched in her beautiful teal-blue eyes. He’d seen that look before. If he was being honest, it had been there since her parents had died.

He certainly could understand that. There was a big hole in his heart since his father passed and watching his mother grapple with grief and her health broke his soul.

“Where are you going?” Weston grabbed his wrist. “I’m sure her fiancé will be following her in shortly and the last thing we all want to do is watch you get into a brawl and have me arrest you because you and Grant can’t be civil with one another.”

“I second that and Grant is always two steps behind,” Blaze agreed.

“Only, he wouldn’t dare step foot in this place.” Ethan raised his beer. “He thinks anyone who frequents this bar is low-hanging fruit.”

“All the more reason for me to go find out if she’s okay.” Thane took one more hit of his drink and left his buddies in the dust. Mostly because he didn’t want to hear how Odessa wasn’t his problem.

He already knew that.

But one couldn’t erase over twenty years of history.

By the time he approached her, she’d perched herself at the bar. “Hey, Odessa,” he said. “You look a little lost.”

She snorted, her go-to chuckle when she was anything but good. “Not lost, just early.”

“Meeting Grant?”

She burst out laughing. But she obviously didn’t find it funny since her eyes watered. Clearing her throat, she turned her head and wiped her perfectly manicured finger across her cheek. “No. It’s a girls’ night and I’m waiting for our take-out order.”

“Are you okay?” He hoisted himself up on the stool and squeezed her thigh. Touching her was a bold move. It was possessive—and she didn’t belong to him. Not now and most likely never. A fact his mind had accepted, but his heart struggled to understand the cruelty of being teased with a small taste of what life could be like with the one he’d let slip through his fingers.

“I’m fine.” She narrowed her stare. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

He reached for her hand, holding it up, and arched his brow.

She jerked her arm.

“What happened this time?” he asked with a sigh. He shouldn’t care. Odessa had told him months ago that she loved Grant. That he was the perfect man for her and that she was happy.

Thane didn’t believe a word she had said. However, he had to respect her wishes.

Unless Grant broke her heart.

Or worse, because Grant was an asshole.

Her lower lip quivered. She tried so hard to be strong and independent. He loved that about her, but Grant chiseled away at her core personality. She couldn’t see it—or wouldn’t. However, everyone else could.

“Come on, Odessa. Talk to me.”

“There’s nothing to discuss .”

“Seriously? You’re on the verge of tears.” He took her hand and kissed the inside of the palm. “Did he hurt you?” Thane held his breath while his heart thumped in his chest like a jackhammer struggling to cut through concrete.

“Why do you always go there?” She cocked her head. “He’s not abusive.”

“Maybe not with his hands, but he doesn’t treat you well and you can do better.”

“Better?” She lowered her chin. “Are we going to have that discussion again?”

“I didn’t mean me.”

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter if you meant you or any other man in this town. I don’t need the judgment and frankly, I’m tired of it. Grant isn’t a bad man. Misguided at times, but my personal life isn’t on the cutting board for everyone to chop up and spit out.”

“All I want is for you to be happy and since I’ve come back to Fallport, I haven’t seen that.” He leaned back, wishing he’d brought his beverage. He could use some alcohol right about now.

“Let me ask you this.” She lowered her chin. “Are you happy?”

“I’m not unhappy and we’re not talking about me. For the record, this isn’t me judging you. However, Grant doesn’t respect you. He makes demands of you. He expects you?—”

“Stop,” she said. “My love life is none of your business anymore.”

“Why are you being so combative with me?” he asked. “I’m trying to help.”

“No. You’re trying to get me to admit shit about Grant. You want me to tell you I have problems in my relationship.”

He knew there were issues, so he didn’t need her to tell him anything. He did want to be a good friend. A sounding board. But he had no idea how to cross over into that space where she could trust him again. It didn’t help that he’d made a massive mistake a few months ago by filling her in on the fact that he had feelings. No, it was worse than that. He used the word love. What a fucking idiot.

He should have kept that to himself.

The hostess came over, set a couple of bags on the counter, and thanked her for her order.

“I’ve gotta run,” she said.

He curled his fingers around her wrist. “I’m always around if you ever need someone to talk to.” He raised his hands. “I promise. No judgments. I mean it when I say I only want you to be happy. That includes if it means being with Grant.” Lifting her hand to his mouth, he pressed his lips against her ring finger, letting them linger, holding her gaze.

A tear escaped her eye.

Damn it. He hated being right, even about that asshole.

“Call me day or night,” he said. “I will always be there for you.”

“So you keep telling me.” She climbed down from the barstool, turned, and disappeared.

Thane raked his fingers through his hair. He had no idea how to reach her, much less help her. Of course, he had no idea what the problem was this time, but the rumor mill in this town would sure be discussing it soon enough. He let out a long breath. Gossip was the last thing she needed.

“Everything okay with her?” Zeke appeared at his side with an arched brow and a strong hand on his shoulder.

“Honestly, I don’t believe so.”

“That’s the first time I’ve seen her in here in months,” Zeke said. “She used to come in every ladies’ night with her friends. But once she started dating Grant, that all changed. Maybe she finally saw the light.”

“She wasn’t wearing her ring, but my ex-wife didn’t always wear hers and I never wore a wedding band.”

Zeke cocked his head. “Why not?”

“I tried. Trust me. But when Tonia told me to stop making myself miserable with the damn thing, I smiled like a kid in a candy store.” Thane laughed. “She and I had our fair share of troubles. Jealousy wasn’t one of them. At least on her part.”

“Why did you get divorced?” Zeke asked. “If you don’t mind me asking, because all you’ve ever said was it didn’t work out, and Blaze said it had nothing to do with cheating.”

“It didn’t. Except Tonia wanted us to bring another woman into our bed. I wasn’t interested.”

Zeke’s eyes grew as wide as the ocean. He banged his chest and coughed. “We all joke about having a threesome, but your ex seriously wanted to?”

Thane nodded. “I knew she’d had a couple of things with girls before we got together. Never bothered me. I just never thought she’d want us to have a relationship with the dog groomer.”

“Hey, at least it wasn’t a dude.”

“Oh, Tonia would have been down for that too,” Thane said. “Last I spoke to her, she and her boyfriend were into swinging.”

“This might get me sucker punched, but how did you not know this about her? You were married for four years, right?”

These kinds of questions used to drive Thane nuts. Not because it made him feel like a fool, because he didn’t. He and Tonia had a great relationship. Sure, they fought like any other couple, but truth be told, the only time they struggled was when they split. “Tonia’s a bit younger than I am. She didn’t know what she wanted when we got married. She did what she thought she was supposed to do when she fell in love. As she grew into herself, she realized monogamy wasn’t for her, but she said she loved me and didn’t want to lose me.” Thane shook his head. “There was no way I could live my life the way she wanted me to and for the next year, we began to struggle for the first time since we’d been together. We both decided it was best to end the marriage. It was honestly a rough go of it for both of us because we did—and in some ways still—love each other.”

“You’re still friends?”

“I consider her a good friend.” Thane nodded. “She’s a good person. I wish her well. I don’t agree with her lifestyle choices, but as long as she’s happy, I don’t judge.”

Zeke pointed toward the front door. “You kind of judge Odessa.”

“Because she’s not happy and she’s with a prick who treats her like a possession, not a person.” Thane rubbed the back of his neck. “At least I know with Tonia, she’s picking and choosing people who want to be in the same world as she is. There’s a lot of respect and trust that comes with that kind of lifestyle. And while Tonia was young when she and I married, that girl knows how to stand up for herself.” Thane glanced over his shoulder. “Somewhere along the way, Odessa has forgotten how to use her voice. About the only time she does is when she wants to tell me to fuck off.”

“Is that what she did tonight?”

“Not really. But I hit a nerve,” Thane said. “I just hope she can break free from this insane hold Grant has over her.” He held up his hand. “I’m not saying that because I’ve got a thing for her. That was over a long time ago.”

“You still care for her.”

“Of course I do. I’ve known her since we were in diapers. But I’m not hung up on her, like all you idiots and my mom seem to think I am. I’m just tired of watching her become a shell of a person. I blame that on Grant.”

“We all do.” Zeke nodded. “I’ve got to get back to work and those yahoos are giving you the evil eye.”

Thane laughed. “Yeah, they didn’t want me to come over and play knight in shining armor.”

“You do act a little obsessed sometimes.” Zeke slapped him on the back. “I get it. I do. But she’s really not your problem and while we can all agree Grant’s a selfish egomaniac, he’s never done anything criminal or lifted a hand to her.”

Thane couldn’t argue that point. However, abuse came in many shapes and forms and Grant had found a way to control Odessa. To break her personality down and that broke Thane’s heart.