The carriage wheels stopped at the gates of the Thomas Manor.
The moment she stepped through the doors, Lianna and Emma hurried forward, relief written plain across their faces.
"Daphne!" Lianna's voice trembled as she clasped her friend's hands tightly.
"You're here. You're safe."
Emma, quieter, folded her arms and studied Daphne closely. "Safe, yes," she said softly. "But are you well?"
"I am fine. Truly."
They led her into the sitting room.
Once seated, Emma leaned forward. "You never told us what truly happened that day you came here."
Daphne hesitated, then slowly let out a long breath.
Her sisters' eyes on her were insistent, and she knew she could not hide the truth.
So she told them.
She told them of Alaric's refusal to consider a child, of her repeated pleas, and of his fierce insistence that he could not yet share her attention.
How each attempt she made ended in silence, his love too consuming to bend.
Lianna's eyes widened in quiet shock. Emma too.
