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Her eyes meet mine at last; however, Art answers before she can open her mouth.

“Eilish understands what is expected of her.”

“That wasn’t what I asked.”

He folds the paper and drops it onto the coffee table in front of him. “You should turn around and leave before you overstay your welcome.”

I take another breath, knowing I’m pushing it but needing answers. “When’s she coming home?”

“She doesn't live in Black Heath anymore.”

The certainty in his answer sends my nails deeper into my skin and guilt creeps through my veins. This is my fault.

“Has she even got a phone?” I ask. “A contact number or a forwarding address? If I give you a letter, could you send it to her?”

I take a step closer to Mara while her fingers grip the edge of her skirt, tugging at the fabric before she releases it.

“Please,” I say. “I just want to check on her.”

Art sighs loudly.

“You’re testing my patience.” He rises and smooths the front of his waistcoat. “Return to your family, Miss Tallon. I understand they’ve enough trouble of their own.”

I hold Art’s gaze. “Will you tell her I came?”

“If the opportunity arises, I’ll send her your regards.”

My temper kicks hard. “Can you at least tell me who she’s marrying?”

“After the last embarrassment this family suffered, I’ll wait until she’s wearing a ring and the ink has dried before I make the official announcement.” He checks his watch. “Now leave, or I’ll have you escorted out.”

I spin on my heels before stalking out of the heated garden room without saying goodbye.

The doorman steps sideways and lets me storm out into the icy wind, and I keep going even though my head spins and my heart is beating too fast.

My car unlocks on the second press after my thumb misses the button. Inside, I grip the steering wheel and stare at Eilish’s car.

She’s gone.

I rest my forehead against the wheel and try to breathe through the landslide of emotions.

Deep down, I wanted him to walk away. And that wish came true. Except nobody told me the ground would disappear beneath Eilish because of it.

I was so fucking naive to hope for a different ending. That Fionn would walk away from the engagement, and Eilish would have time to choose a husband herself.

Hot tears sting my eyes no matter how hard I try to hold them back. I wipe at them with my sleeve, take a deep breath before starting the engine and slamming my foot on the accelerator, tearing along the driveway.

The sensible thing would be to head home and help my brothers, but I speed past the turn when I reach it and keep driving.

Eventually, I end up outside the pub in Black Heath and pull into the car park.

The place is almost empty at this hour, with only two older men watching the horse racing on the wall mounted television and a young guy dressed in high vis gear supping a pint near the fire.

“Rough few days?” the barman asks when I drag out the stool and sit.

“Rum and coke.”

He takes down a glass. “Double?”