Page 75 of Consume Me

My father had loved my mother deeply. I’d never doubted that, but I’d never understood their relationship either. I felt like a cad asking Norris, but he didn’t seem to mind.

“He lost her because he didn’t deserve her. He cheated. He lied. Perhaps it was to protect her, but it pushed her away.” Norris leaned forward and stared me down. “Your love for Clara is nothing like that. Don’t doubt true love. Have faith in it.”

“And that will save me?” I asked. I needed to know it could. I needed to know that, regardless of what I chose, I could forge a different path with my children.

He smiled slightly, his eyes growing sad. “It saved me.”

“Hey.” The sound of my brother’s voice startled me, and I nearly dropped the tea bag I was holding. Clara needed a pick-me-up and despite her strong affinity for coffee, I knew that tea was what she needed.

I wasn’t prepared to speak with Edward alone. So far there had been a crush of people surrounding us every time he’d popped in. It had saved Clara and I from facing him. “Tea?”

“Were you expecting me?” He looked at the cup and screwed up his face. “Obviously not. I don’t drink darjeeling—neither does your wife.

Frowning, I dumped it out. “Good to know.”

“She really would have rather have coffee, even if she is married to the King,” he said dryly. Edward’s sense of humour was intact but fraying at the edges. Normally, he looked like he’d stepped out of a magazine. Today his shirt was rumpled, his sleeves rolled up, and his hair a tangled mess. He caught me staring and sighed. “I look that bad, don’t I?”

I had a choice to make. It would be easy to ask about David and feign ignorance. But that wouldn’t change the past. “David?”

“There’s been no word.” Edward strolled over to the lounge chair and sank in to it looking defeated.

“I haven’t had a chance to talk to you,” I began slowly, wondering how this would play out.

“You’ve had a lot on your plate. David will turn up. The important thing is that Clara is safe.” The surety of his words didn’t quite cover the tremble in his voice.

“Edward?” How did I tell him this? Where did I begin?

He buried his head in his hands but the action didn’t quite cover his muffled sobs. I wished I could say something to comfort him, but that wasn’t my job today.

“When Clara was taken,” I said in a soft voice, “we only discovered a few of her captors.”

Edward’s face twisted toward me, confusion swimming in his tear-stained eyes. Slowly, I saw the gears begin to turn. “What does this have to do with David?”

“Everything,” I confessed.

“Oh god.” Edward gripped his knees, beginning to tremble. He stood, shaking his head, an accusation flung in my direction. “You’re wrong.”

“I’m not. I saw him. He told me.” I wasn’t certain if this was the harder bit of news. What I had to tell him next should be the worst, but somehow I knew it wasn’t. I couldn’t imagine finding out the person I loved had betrayed me and my family.

Clara had begun to share more details, repeating the reasons David had given her for his actions. She was convinced he’d loved Edward. Neither of us felt it made up for what he’d done.

“Where is he?” Edward sounded hollow as though he was answering automatically. “Prison? Custody?”

I couldn’t bring myself to answer. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him.

“Alex.” Edward’s voice peaked, his breath beginning to speed up. “Where is he?”

I forced myself to meet his eyes. I forced myself to confront what I’d done. “I’m sorry. I killed him.”

Edward didn’t move. He stared at me like I hadn’t spoken at all.

I wanted to tell him I had no choice, but that was a lie. I’d decided to face my actions. “He hurt her. He betrayed us.”

It might not be enough of an explanation, but it was all I could offer now. I wasn’t sure he could process more as it was.

But Edward didn’t ask any questions. He didn’t scream. He’d just stared blankly at me, which was somehow worse, until he finally turned and walked away, leaving me there with my guilt and an empty cup of tea.

“Where’s my tea?” Clara asked when I returned to the suite. We were alone for the time being with William. Aunt Belle had arrived to take Elizabeth home for a few hours so we could focus on the baby. It was difficult enough to care for an infant without a bundle of toddler energy rocketing about.