The words hit her like a physical blow.
This is all your fault.
The PI’s death. Max’s injury. All of it because she’d run.
If she’d just stayed?—
No.
She caught herself, the familiar spiral of guilt trying to pull her under.
This wasn’t her fault. None of it was. It was Garrick’s.
These had been his choices. His violence. His obsession.
But the small, broken part of her—the part that had lived with his manipulation for years—whispered that maybe, just maybe, if she’d tried harder, said the right words, loved him better, been enough . . .
No, those are lies, Millie. Don’t listen to them. You’re not responsible for his actions.
She wasn’t sure where the voice came from—unless it was from God.
They gave her the strength to square her shoulders and lift her chin.
Thiswasn’ther fault, and she couldn’t blame it on herself any longer.
She met his gaze. “You’re wrong. This isn’t my fault. I didn’t make you do any of these things.Youmade those decisions.”
“Did I? You made the choice to marry me. That’s on you.” He started walking again, pulling her along. “It doesn’t really matter anyway. But whatever truth you chose to believe, you’re still going to be the one who bears the consequences of what has happened.”
Caleb’s truck skidded to a stop in front of the house. He was out before the engine fully died, his boots hitting the gravel hard.
Max burst through the side door, his face pale, and Hamilton following him.
“She went after Biscuit.” Max moved toward the side of the house. “The back gate was wide open. I tried to follow, but?—”
“Show me.” Caleb’s voice was clipped, controlled.
He couldn’t afford panic. Not now.
They rounded the house at a run. The back gate stood open, swinging slightly in the breeze. Beyond it, the woods were dark—too dark.
Caleb pulled his phone out and dialed Wyatt as he slipped through the gate.
“Yeah?” Wyatt’s voice came through after two rings.
“I need you at Refuge Cove. Now. Bring Thunder.” Caleb scanned the tree line, looking for any sign of movement. “Millie’s in the woods. Someone’s after her.”
“On my way. I was headed to Jen’s house, so I’m only five minutes out.”
Caleb ended the call and looked at Max. “Stay here. If she comes back?—”
“I’m coming with you.”
“No.” Caleb’s tone left no room for argument. “You’ve already been knocked out once today. Besides, I need you here in case she doubles back. Grab something of Millie’s for Thunder to track her scent.”
Max hesitated, then nodded. “Okay. Be careful.”
Caleb was already moving into the woods.
