Page 129 of Thorns of Deceit

God, my heart split in two for her. And the worst part was that I couldn’t even judge her for it. Duncan had put her through unimaginable hell.

“I only see you when I look at him,” I whispered. “And me. I see someone who needs love.”

She went quiet for a long while, and we sat in a silence that I didn’t know what to do with.

“He’s yours, then,” Mom said, her voice cracking.

“Mom—”

“I’m broken.” I reached over slowly, taking her hand and holding it gently as she went on. “I keep thinking I’m still in that house. I feel his hands on me even when I’m awake. All the babies he took from me…” She shook her head. “And now, I wish Duncan had taken this one.”

“You survived. He didn’t. Don’t let that bastard win. You have to live. It’s the best revenge.”

“I don’t want that child near me.” Her hand was trembling beneath mine. “I don’t want reminders. I don’t want this life.”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Then let’s make you a new one.”

Her eyes fluttered shut.

“You can go away,” I continued softly. “We’ll help you. Pick anywhere in the world. Maybe somewhere you’ve never been, where no one knows your name. Aiden can make it happen. But please, Mom, just live.”

She opened her eyes again, and this time I saw a flicker of longing in them. It could be exactly what she needed. A new life.

“I don’t want to be a mother anymore.”

I nodded. “You don’t have to be.”

Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “Do you hate me?”

“Never,” I said with passion. “You deserve to be selfish and live for yourself. You deserve peace.”

Heavy tears rolled down her cheeks.

“And he’ll be okay?” she rasped.

I smiled, though it was wobbly. “Yes. He’ll be loved, and if you’re ever ready, he’ll be here. Safe and cherished.”

Resolve flashed in her eyes and she nodded.

“Then please, help me disappear,” she said.

I leaned in and kissed her forehead, just like I had the night her son was born. “That’s exactly what we’ll do.”

She closed her eyes again, but this time her breath came easier. It was the first step toward her healing.

EPILOGUE

AIDEN

One Year Later

Wife: Don’t work late tonight. I’ll reward you with kisses and

Raven’s message had been on my mind all day, and by the time I got home, night had fallen. The city was alive with sirens and car horns, but up here, it was another world. The noise was blocked out and the world seemed somewhat distant, letting me live in a bubble where only my wife and kids existed.

I stepped through the front door of our New York City penthouse, ready to ravish my wife.

I took off my shoes near the entryway.