Page 47 of The Devil’s Lair

“Just a walk. Something to do, you know?”

She gives me a side-eye but doesn’t say anything as she stops outside a door and uses her elbow to open it, then pushes it wider with her hip.

“You can put them on that table over there.” She jerks her chin.

I set down the files. “We’ll, um, let you get on.”

“Stay for a sec.” She crooks her finger at Isla. “Look who’s fast asleep under my desk.”

Isla shoots over, her face lighting up. It’s Daisy. Has to be.

“Why don’t you play with her for a bit? Mummy and I will be right over there.” She gestures to the opposite corner, where a couple of armchairs bookend a small, round table. I unzip my coat and sit.

“You’ve been here just over a month now. How are you doing?”

“I’m okay. It’s a lot, and I’m finding my feet, but, yeah, it’s all good.”

“A lot.” Vicky laughs. “That’s one way of putting it.” She leans forward, forearms on her knees. “I know I’m a stranger to you, but I’d like to be a friend. Imogen and Grace and Saskia would, too. We want you to be happy here. You’ll be our sister-in-law soon, and that means you’re family.”

I blow out a steady stream of air. “It’s overwhelming.”

“I’m not surprised you feel that way. I knew this family before I married Nicholas, and it was overwhelming to me. Still is some days.” She chuckles. “We’re all here for you. If you ever want to talk or just sit and be around people, we’re your people.”

I give a small, polite smile. She’s lovely. They all are, but it’s so hard to trust and open up around strangers. Marcus destroyed my belief in myself. I got him so wrong and paid a price that will haunt me until my last breath.

“Thank you. I appreciate that.”

Vicky studies me, her expression thoughtful. “This family will protect you, Rebecca. We rally around our own.”

I force a swallow, my throat tight. I don’t know what to say to that. I’ve never had anyone stand up for or stand with me before. Not my mother or my brother, and certainly not Marcus and his family.

Then I met Tobias, and everything changed.

I open my mouth, then close it again.

“You’re good here, I promise you. We’re all standing shoulder to shoulder with you and Isla.”

To my horror, my eyes fill with tears. Don’t cry. Do. Not. Cry.

“Oh, love.”

Yep. I’m crying.

Vicky moves to crouch beside my chair. Gently, she squeezes my forearm in silent solidarity. After a few seconds, she gets up and brings me a tissue. I blow my nose and wipe my eyes, then sniff. “I’m so sorry.”

Vicky’s hands come up. “No. Nope. We are not doing that. No apologies. You can cry any damn time you like. You can scream and yell or curl into your shell and speak to no one. You can do whatever the hell you want, no questions asked, no answers expected.”

“You’re all so nice,” I whisper. “I don’t know what I did to deserve such kindness.”

Vicky’s eyes close, and she keeps them closed for a few seconds before she opens them. She blinks, looks away, blinks again, then returns her gaze to mine. “You’re breaking my heart, Rebecca.”

My smile wavers. I force it to hold. “I’m okay.” I shake my head. “That’s not true. I’m not okay, but I will be.”

It’s only when I say the words aloud that I realize they’re the truth. Every day, I feel my strength returning. I don’t jump at the slightest noise or check everything I want to say before I say it. I’m not constantly on edge waiting for the next blow to land. Maybe Jane has a point; I am making progress, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

Only one problem lingers: Felicity and her custody suit. If… no, not if, when. When the judge throws her request out of court, I can finally look to the future. A future married to a man who tells me he wants nothing from me other than the words “I do” at the right time.

If that is, in fact, the truth.