s everywhere. He' d found me in the small town at the foot of the mountains where I' d gone to find work, try

too close. He still looked ill, a faint sheen of sweat on his brow. "The

d me as a desperate, clinging woman, not the one who

." He grabbed my shoulders. "Alright. Fine. You remember. Then you know I love Chloe. I'll do anything for her. Stay out of our liv

was clear: protect

"Fine, Ethan. Stay away from m

nds up destroyed th

ever come near Chloe, if you ever try to interfere, I will make what

, confident he' d

erable Families." It didn't name me, but it described a "mountain woman" with "folkloric claims" and warned locals. My boss at the diner fired me, h

er, his arm around her waist, whispering in her ear. The caption under the photo online read, "Montgomery Heir Devoted to Fiancée Amidst Hea

eard two women talking in hushed, anxious tones. They spoke of Captain Jack Riley, a war hero from a nearby county, grievously wounded

y "gift." It was a long shot, a wild i