The Billionaire's Forgotten Sin

. Her pulse raged in her ears. Every breath burned. Her dress tore on a low branch. She stumble

at her throat, tasting the salt of tears she refused to shed. She pressed her palm to her abdome

s. She remembered an old church on the edge of town. She had never gone inside. She recall

nkle against a root but did not stop. She reached the cemetery gate. Rusted iron bars

ung to the corners. A single lantern burned by the side door. She pressed

ide. The door opened an inch. A man's eye peered out. His gaze

hape against the lantern glow. His features looked sharp

h he weighed it in his mouth. His voice was l

against a sigh. She

The door shut behind her with a

ints and angels. Pews stood in neat rows. An altar glowed under fl

an angel statue. Two sconces lit the side chapel. He guid

ll. She could hear the slow tick of a clock. She tas

m. He tipped his head. He asked without

d at the floor until her vision blurred. Then she stead

whisper. "I n

nce stretched. Then h

y "From everyone," but that would sound like defeat. She

ace of her gown. Her cheek bore a red mark, half hidden by her hair. H

face hovered at her level. He said in

mind for years. She had never imagined his expression w

park of the girl he once thought he loved. He reach

me you left willingly. She said,

ressed her palm against

to face her. He folded hi

steady. "I ran. I didn'

ed. He admitted through clen

elt his scent-leather and earth. She remembered nights tast

yes. She said

His pupils constricted as though

ned courage. She lifted her eyes. S

over his heart. He stared at her, stunned. He as

She spoke in a rush. "He's safe. He's with my friend. She lives in a

rough his hair. He forced his jaw to unc

explained, "I was ashamed. I thought I

es separated them. He said softly

searched his eyes for truth. She hea

ed it to her. The picture captured a boy standing by a fountain in wi

he wore. She recognized the tilt o

"I found this amon

air vanish. She stared at the

d around it. He s

r and relief warred in her chest. She as

all. His voice broke as he answ

eak free. She wiped them on her sleeve.

ar. Darkness seeped in around its fr

lled through th

ed. She turned bac

again, louder:

ost color. Her heart lurch

ipped her arm and pulled

r slamm

ring candlelight. The weight of

nd whispered, "We'l

him, voice sma

and said, "You don't

moaned around th

hared secret sp

shadows, so