The morning after the boat incident felt unreal.
I woke up wrapped in Daddy’s arms, his hand protectively resting on my belly. The new collar felt heavier than usual against my throat. Every time I moved, I remembered the sound of the gunshot, Reynolds’ blood on the deck, and the look in Daddy’s eyes when I stepped off that boat.
He had won.
And I had let him.
“You’re awake,” Daddy murmured, his voice still rough with sleep. He pulled me closer, pressing a slow kiss to my shoulder. “How do you feel?”
I stayed silent for a moment, staring at the ceiling.
“Lost,” I whispered honestly. “Like I betrayed my mother last night… and like I betrayed myself by staying.”
Daddy turned me gently so I faced him. His gray eyes searched mine with that intense mixture of love and possession that alw
