Page 283 of Depraved Boys

“She refuses to see me.”

“What went wrong?”

I shook my head. Once I had recovered from jumping out of the Aston Martin, I had persuaded Ashley’s lawyer to send her for a psychiatric evaluation. Unfortunately, the assessing psychiatrist couldn’t find any mental conditions that would have affected her judgment, and she was sentenced to fifteen years in prison. She did send Uncle Trevor and me long letters detailing how we had both ruined her future.

Cormac leaned forward, eyes alight with curiosity.

I blew out a long breath. “It’s like you said. Ashley saw me as a scapegoat for everything that went wrong in her life, starting from when she fell in love with a private tutor who showed her no interest.”

“Sorry.” He sipped his cold tea.

“So am I.”

“I saw an announcement of your engagement in The Sunday Times.” Cormac wrinkled his nose at the three-carat diamond engagement ring on my finger. “Why did you choose him of all people?”

A laugh huffed out of my throat. “I didn’t.”

He tilted his head to the side. “I don’t follow.”

“It’s complicated and doesn’t matter.” I wasn’t about to explain that we were on our way to India for a polyandrous wedding. That was nobody’s business but my own.

Cormac shrugged. “I suppose not. Are you happy?”

“Very.” Warmth filled my chest, and my gaze darted to the security camera above the door. If anyone offered me the chance to reset the last seven years of my life, I still would have gone to Brittas Academy, even if it meant reliving all that fear and pain and anguish. Because it had led me to my three soulmates and move love to fill three lifetimes.

“Although life isn’t without its challenges,” I added.

“How is Kashaayah?” Cormac bit into a lemon cupcake.

“Busy expanding his tea label to the rest of the world.”

Cormac chuckled. “Garraway won’t like that.”

I raised a shoulder. “Kashaayah Mountain isn’t competition since the brand is only available in high-end retailers like Harrods and Fortnum and Mason.”

“Whereas Garraway Tea is available in any old supermarket.”

“Exactly.” I gave him a half-smile.

A silence stretched out between us. Whatever connection we used to share had gone. All that remained were memories now soured by a negligent academy. Its leadership had been so preoccupied with money and grades that it had exposed two vulnerable young people to the horrors of the elites. Still, it was good to see that the doctors had deemed Cormac well enough to return to full-time education.

I smoothed down the skirt of my silk dress and stood. “Congratulations, once again. I hope you enjoy Massachusetts.”

“It was nice to see you after all this time.” He dipped his head and peered at me through his lashes.

“Likewise.” I turned to the door and strode across the room.

“Willow.”

My fingers paused over the handle. “Yes?”

“I’m sorry for using you to get revenge on everyone who hurt Corrine. Of all my regrets, this one has plagued me the worst.”

“I forgave you after your first apology.” His letter had been long, eloquent, and heartfelt. I hadn’t replied, but he continued to update me on his progress at Springfield Manor. There was enough material for a book if he ever wanted to publish his story. “Now, go to America and start a new life.”

As soon as the door clicked shut, all the tension left my shoulders. That part of my life was over. Uncle Trevor now lived in Mom and Dad’s cottage with my four cousins, and Ashley’s sentence had been extended for violence and for being caught dealing drugs behind bars. Nobody knew when she would be released because she kept reoffending.

I continued down the hallway, past rooms that looked more like they belonged in a spa, and toward the waiting room where I’d left my young men. As soon as I stepped inside, all three of them stood from where they had been watching the monitors.