My beautiful angel lay asleep, her hair tangled around her face like strands of golden silk.
I lowered myself to the edge of the bed, my fingers shaking as I reached out to caress her soft hair.
Oh, my beautiful wife.
How I’d missed you.
How would I ever redeem myself for the way I had to treat you the last time we met?
My mind was tormented with the enormity of my sins.
How could Balthazar—that despicable demon—have fathered someone as full of wonder and grace as her?
I swallowed the bitter taste of regret and climbed beside her, my body aching for comfort, for forgiveness—for her.
I pressed my lips to her cheeks, temple, delicate throat, featherlight kisses, a silent plea against her skin.
God, how I love you.
And if she woke to hate me?—
Then so be it.
Because I would spend every moment of my existence trying to make this right.
Emily’s eyelids fluttered, then snapped open, her eyes wide, wild with fear.
She sucked in a breath, her mouth parting toscream?—
I slapped my palm over her lips, pressing down firmly.
“Shh, shh,” I whispered desperately. “I’m here to tell you everything.”
Her muffled scream sent a shockwave of panic through me. She thrashed, twisting beneath me, her fingernails digging into my arms.
Then—
A quick pain exploded in my palm as her teeth sank into my flesh.
“Ahh—fuck!” I yanked my hand away.
Emily shoved me hard, her chest heaving with fury, her voice revealing rage and heartbreak.
“You’re a monster!” she spat. “You betrayed me! You betrayed our unborn child! How dare you come into my room?”
I lunged forward, clamping my hand over her mouth again, my body straddling hers, pinning her down.
“You must listen to me!” I hissed. “Everything I did—everything—was for Malik. It was all part of a plan.”
Her eyes blazed, the whites stark against the darkness, her body writhing beneath me.
She screamed against my skin, her breath hot, frantic.
“If I let you go,” I panted, struggling to keep her still, “you have to promise not to yell. Can you do that?”
She shook her head wildly, her eyes glistening with fury.
“Emily, please.” My voice broke. “Please.”
