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“Oh really? She lived with you. Donnan said he was oft in your apartments and would see her unclothed in your bed. You haena shared this with your wife? You daena keep secrets from her?”

Magnus said to me, “Daena listen tae her, Kaitlyn, she is tryin’ tae start trouble between us.” He reached back for my hand.

I brushed it away and did the only thing I could do, fold my hands in my lap and stare at the wall across from me. A watercolor painting, a common one here on the Island, a local artist who painted beach scenes, a wash of tan, a blur of blue for the ocean, a flick of a tiny black brush for a flying seagull — what the fuck was I thinking about while my husband discussed his son by another woman?

I emerged from my mind-freak to see my husband run his hands through his hair with a groan. “How do we — tis mine? It could be Donnan’s...”

Lady Mairead said, “Tests have been run. The baby is yours, nae Donnan’s. Ye can see for yourself.”

She held out a bundle of white paper, folded in thirds. Magnus unfolded them and smoothed them out to read. I looked over his shoulder. There were three columns of numbers and letters and at the top Magnus’s name, another name, Bella, and a third column, Unborn Child. I was looking at my husband’s paternity test, but I couldn’t see it because my vision was swimming in and out of focus with the tears that were filling my eyes. Furious tears.

Plus Magnus’s hand was shaking.

He said, “I canna tell what it...” He looked confused and dismayed by all the numbers that meant something important but wouldn’t outright say it.

Lady Mairead said, “It says that you are the father. The DNA markers connect ye directly.”

Magnus scowled down at the page. He flipped to the following page. Donnan’s name topped a column of numbers, a few with minus signs. He flipped back to the top page, none of the number and letter combinations in Magnus’s column had minus signs. He tossed the papers to the coffee table.

I tried to swallow my rage.

Lady Mairead said, “Bella has gone intae hiding because Samuel meant tae kill her.” She pulled a square pale pink envelope from her pocket and held it out. “She sent this for ye, Magnus, so you would ken where she is with your unborn son.”

Magnus refused to take it. “I daena⁠—”

I leaned over the coffee table, and snatched it from Lady Mairead’s hand.

She looked incredulous. “Ye want tae read what the mistress says tae your husband?”

“No. I don’t.” I folded my arms with the note under them pressed to my chest. Petulant. “But Magnus will, and it’s for him to read, not you.”

Lady Mairead scoffed. “I have always said I rather like ye, Kaitlyn. You haena been the best wife for Magnus, I do regret the alliance, but I see a great many familiar qualities tae myself.”

“I’m nothing like you.” I continued staring at the painting, my trembling hands stuffed under my arms, the note sealed by another woman gripped in my fingers. I didn’t want to touch it, but what if Magnus reached for it, wanted it?

I would probably totally freak out. And by freak out I meant, I had no idea, but it would probably be freaky.

I could feel him glance at my face, but I kept my eyes averted. Fury was riding my breaths. But I didn't know who I was most furious at — Lady Mairead and her evil, malicious ways? Magnus for breaking his vows? Myself for being here in the middle of this nightmare without a good escape route? Nothing to do but sit here and take this?

“So I have two choices, Magnus. The one, I back Samuel. You and Kaitlyn hide together, live your happy life here in Florida, or anywhere really. Bella would be left tae protect your son alone. Samuel winna want him tae live, but twould be none of your business tae worry on it. Or two, you come take your throne and protect your son as your heir. I ken which choice I prefer, but I need ye tae decide which one ye will be able tae live with.”

Magnus’s hands were clasped. His mouth was pressed to them. He looked about to explode, holding himself back. His face held a storm. A lightning storm, wind and rain, torrents of it. The kind of storm that bent a human to its will.

He couldn’t think with that kind of storm inside.

I couldn’t think watching the torment buffet him.

Magnus.

He just heard he has a son.

I wanted to kill him.

My heart also broke for him.

“No.” It was from inside of me, so abrupt and sudden I didn’t really understand why I said it. No, to what? To whom? Just, no?

Lady Mairead leveled her eyes waiting for an explanation.