Page 114 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

I never heard either of them leave.

Considering they have the subtlety of invading armies whenever they decide they want me, that says more about my exhaustion than I care to admit.

The phone stops ringing.

Before I can unlock the screen, it begins again, my mother’s name appearing above the image I took of her on the porch last spring, her face turned toward the sun and her smile bright.

Guilt immediately clears the last of the fog from my mind. “Mom?”

“Oh, thank goodness.” Her relief comes through clearly, though her voice sounds thinner than usual. “I was starting to think something had happened.”

“I’m sorry. I should have called.”

There is a small pause. “Called from where?”

I close my eyes. I didn’t tell her I was traveling. “I’m in Vegas.”

Another pause follows. “You’re on your honeymoon?”

I glance at the rings on my left hand.

“I suppose I am.”

My mother laughs softly. The sound is warm but not quite as strong as it should be, and concern tightens beneath my ribs.

“You were radiant, Sophie.”

I smile. She looked stronger than she had in weeks, if not months.

Before I can respond, she goes on. “How are you?”

The simple question catches me off guard.

Last night moves through me in flashes. The theater. The clamps. Being touched in the darkness while people sat only feet away. The humiliating, terrifying thrill of it. And later, back here, letting my husbands take me even further.

My body aches this morning, but there is no regret buried beneath the soreness.

“I’m okay.”

I wait for my mind to reject the words.

It doesn’t.

“I’m glad.” She falls silent for several seconds.

“How are you feeling?”

“Tired. The new protocol is exhausting, but the doctors are encouraged.”

“Is there something else?”

“I…”

“Mom?”

“You said vows to two men.”

My father didn’t prepare her? I’m furious with him. Again. “It’s…” I pause. “Complicated.”