small feet pressed against her ribs. Brielle was starfished across

cheek, the flutter of her eyelashes. This was what mattered. This tiny person

smaller than the manor's but infinitely warmer, with morning light painting everything gold. Sh

a Mi

ate's staff, in the doorway. The older wom

ope you don't mind-I'm mak

ee you." Ingrid hesitated, then add

e Mira's throat tight. "I've missed be

g into easy rhythm. By the time Brielle thundered down the stairs, hair w

from last night forgotten in the excitement. She climbed in

ching. When had she last done this? Just been present

g. Far

d-a battle involving a tutu, rain boots, and a

asked, tugging on Mira's hand. "I

nge pinecones and flowers around the elaborate fairy house construction. The reserve from last

ith a message from Fletcher, the estate steward: Lun

r. The old Mira would have been thrilled by his "need," would have rushed to

Tell him I'm wi

ther message came in, this time from an unknown number: How d

. Of c

ge without responding

was watching her with those

d. "Now, tell me more about the

and then Brielle started yawning. Mira carried her insi

hen I wake up?" Bri

long as you want

needed to leave soon-the drive to Windmere was two hours, and she'd call

ntered the stu

d the desk, spine straight, hands folded

have frozen water. "How kin

, to explain, to make herself smaller.

bered: She can han

er voice level. "What

g shorter than Mira, she had a way of looming. "Leaving the manor after

ermission to vi

e sharpened. "Your duty is to produce an heir, n

place? My duty? Is that all I am to this family? A

your

tone. I'm done being quiet and dutiful while my husband keeps a mistress an

are you speak to me this way. You forget

." Mira stepped forward. "

d to provide a male heir. You're barely present in pack m

" The words came out before Mira could stop them. "May

saw it coming. The slap cracked across

nded. "You will apologize, and

d cut the inside of her mouth. If this had been any moment in the

t Mira

n hand, steady and

new voice fr

, his jaw tight as he took in the scene. He strode forward and cau

ugh," he sa

ight be defending her. Then he shove

mpt dripping from his voice. "I'm not

"Mother, I apologize for my wife's behavior. Why

shot Mira a triumphant lo

uffocating. Kieran ran a hand through

e hell w

ng to be hit anymor

my mo

r. "Or have you forgotten that between your breed

clenched. "Wa

tirely?" Mira laughed bitterly. "You can't

cked his watch. "We can discuss your

t a di

the air between th

erly still. His

did yo

her, but Mira dug her heels in, refusing to yiel

t. A. D

izing a threat. Before he could say anything, his phone rang. He glanced at the scre

ake this," h

era

handling it now. No, it's fine. I'll be there

e looking at a stranger. There was nothing in his eyes-no anger, n

impat

issively. "I have to go. There's an impo

d toward

serious. I wa

don't. You're upset. You'll calm down, and

echoing through the estate, the

ing, her chest hollow with the realization that she'd just asked for

she left now, she'd make it to Windmere before l

top of the stairs, she paused outside Brielle's room. Her daug

ything. But Mommy needs to take care of herself now.

pressed them to the doorfram

a blur of tears and determinatio

everythi

treaming down her face. "Can you see me this afte

raight to my office

he medical center, her face was

ched across her features. She took one loo

at you need

quietly. "And I need to end a marriag

re? Your body hasn't fully recovered, MiraThis will

d into fists. "Once Kieran knows I'm

mask of pain. "The cost is

in of anything in my life,"

ded slowly. "Okay. Le