d. This was what she'd been trying for, what would secure

nter that had created this life. The cold efficiency

rumble and another voice, older, sharper. His mo

four years ago, nothing had followed. The difficult delivery had nearly claimed Mira's life and had drained her b

had offered almost no objection. She had thought he

now. She was finally pregnant again. She hope

ctly below the master suite, and the old manor's ventilation system carried sound perfectly. She'd discovere

ne was saying. "Did

ed tired. "She's very du

ghter, we need to co

e pressed closer to the

tives?" Kiera

. She could bear you a so

into a cold knot. So that was their next move? But

lutel

so intensely she felt dizzy. He'd refused. Finally, he was standing u

e nearly died, but she survived it. She can handle that risk again if needed. But A

rld st

ve pregnancy test still clutched in her hand

ndle that

life." Not "I care too much

efore. She was the safe option because she was a

us, delicate Astrid

chest, something that had been holdin

, and this was what she meant to him. Not a partner. Not a mate. Just a

er? Was that the entirety o

lene said. "But Kieran, you need to be firm

ow, M

ouse. Mira heard the front door open and close, heard Kier

erfect life.

st in her hand. Her vision blurred w

eant joy, hope, a future. Instead

to imagine the fresh hell that would await her if this child, too, was a girl. Would

e vanity, the other pressed over her heart. No sound of p

ething fundamental had changed. The woman looking back at her wa

oman w

face, watching droplets fall into the white porcelain s

ndle that

couldn't.

her career, her friends, her sense of self. She'd nearly died bringing Brielle into th

d her, not because he wanted a family with her, but becaus

looked at it one last time. Then she wrapped it

Kieran. Not

ce. Fo

packing a small bag with steady hands. She'd go to the

e needed to focus entirely on conceiving again. Selene had insisted Brielle was cared

useless. Only a few limited days each month, after fulfill

settled upon her. How had she ever believed this compromise could lead to peace

d never ha

midnight. The house was mostly dark, but Briell

r courage. Her daughter. Her baby. The little

o one in particular. Ple

in quietly. The estate was silent except for the ticking of the grandfather cloc

ars old, Brielle was the perfect blend of Mira and Kieran-dark curls from her father, gree

n her expression shuttered slightly, becom

ave. What are you doing here? As if Mir

ra moved into the room slowly, not

t reach for Mira the way she used to

urse

never too busy for you

ear-old. "Auntie Astrid says you have important things

n. So while Kieran had restricted her access, he'd freely

. The decision she'd made before leaving sol

hter. "I want you to know that I love you more than anything in the world. More t

ion in it was clear. "Auntie Astrid lives here. She reads me stories every

e manor with Daddy. But I know I haven't been here as

e manor. He lives with Au

want to scream. How had she let things get this bad? How had she been so focused o

hing." Mira took a breath. "Do yo

ant a brother! Then I could tea

as scared to have another bab

arly parroted from adult conversations. "That's selfish, Mommy.

our years old, and already wielding guil

ed. "I wasn't afraid then. B

body relaxing back into

. Let me tu

dark curls until her breathing evened out. But just as M

ll you sta

urse I

scent of her hair. And for a few precious moments, everything else faded aw

s. Only

l Zara to schedule the appointment. Tomorrow she'd drive to Windmere. Tomorrow she'd e

'd start cho

aby and pretend the world was

he fight to secure a future-for

for divorce from Alpha