y muscle in my body ached. For a moment, a sliver of hope pierced through the fog of pain. I heard Olivia's

rasped, my

cker of something in her eyes-annoyance, maybe? T

eathed, her voice thick with relief. She r

scene was so grotesquely domestic it made me sick. The sight of her fussing over him,

in, my voice stronge

ening. "Liam. You're awake." It wasn't a ques

uring to Brandon. "What is he to

. "He's hurt. The kidnappers beat him before they re

moment, Brandon let out a pained groan. He opened his eyes,

all my fault. They should have taken me. I should

painting himself as a tragic, noble v

ever say that." She shot a venomous glare in my direction, as if I were the one who had orchestrated the e

on us and Brandon was "resting,

alk," I said,

lied, not looking at me. "I did what I h

of glass. "You told kidnappers where to f

My grandfather's great-grandchild.

tal truth. I was no longer

t of bed, my body protesting with every step, and walked

" I said quietly.

ulnerability vanished, replaced by a smug, cunni

cent. You played your part well. You saw an opportunity and you took i

. "She needed an heir. I gave her o

d ambition in his eyes. He wasn't just

I didn't waste any tim

startled. "

d. "I want

e looked truly shocked. "A divorce? You

you are his problem now, not mine." I had already had my lawyer draw up the

mix of anger and disbelief. "After everything I've done f

tter, broken sound. "You sacrificed me. Th

ed into a mask of cold calculation. "Fine. If that's what you want

h contempt. "I want my life back. I want to be free of

e snatched the pen and scribbled her si

a very happy life," I said, the

room without looking back. I left behind eight years of m

e loyal friend on the staff to pack for me. Pictures of Olivia and me. Smiling on our wedding

d as our history turned to ash and smoke, the flames consuming the smiling faces of the people we used to