Taken Bride (The Secret Bride 3)

Ms. Evans took a deep breath and looked out the window before saying, “She hired a pilot to fly them from Nevada to New York. She was the one who brought them to the house. She helped them come for Ember. She also helped them go off into hiding again.”

Each word that comes from Ms. Evans’s mouth feels like a bullet piercing my gut. I knew something was off with the way Ember left, but no way could I have imagined this.

Betrayal.

Sick, twisted, evil acts.

Criminal.

I shake my head in hopes that blinding rage won’t take over. “My mother is guilty of many things. She has her own moral code at times, but no way could she do something so awful. You have to be wrong on this. Maybe you misunderstood something or just don’t have all your facts right.”

I’m lying to myself.

I know Ms. Evans is only telling me the truth, but I need a moment to lie to myself to simmer down the madness that is threatening to engulf me.

My mother couldn’t have done this to me.

To me. Her only son. To a man she loves. To me!

She couldn’t have. No way.

But she did.

She fucking did.

“I didn’t help your mother, Christopher. But at the same time, I didn’t stop her. I started figuring out what she was doing, and I should have told you sooner. But you have to understand just how deep my loyalty is to that woman. I would do anything for her. But this… I can’t stand by and let this happen. I can’t watch you and allow you to believe Ember left of her own free will.”

“Did they force her?” Rage begins to fully set in no matter how many calming breaths I take. “Did my mother lie about that? Did she not walk out the door with them?”

“Ember left with them. But she was driven to do it. I can see why she did. That poor girl never had a chance under this roof. She was miserable and scared, and Louisa made sure to keep it that way.”

And I didn’t fucking see it. I chose to put my head in a damn hole and avoid the feelings of my wife. I should have been here. I should have watched, listened, and felt that something was off. But I was too damn focused on making life return to normal.

Normal.

Nothing would be normal again.

And what the fuck is normal anyway?

All I know is I want my goddamn wife back. They took her from me, and I want her back.

“Do you know where they took Ember?” I ask.

Ms. Evans shakes her head. “I overheard them saying they were going back to Nevada for a short time. I know your mother allowed them to use her pilot to get there. But that’s it.” For the first time, she approaches me and tentatively touches my arm. “I’m sorry, Christopher. I should have told you sooner. I have always tried to mind my own business when it comes to your family. I hear things but try not to react. It has served me well up until now. I even tried to be a friend to Ember, because God knows the woman needed a good friend. But I couldn’t be enough. She deserves happiness. You both do. And I sincerely believe you love her as she loves you. I hope you can find her. I hope you can take her back.”

I nod as a million thoughts on how exactly I am going to try to do it run through my head.

“But, Christopher,” Ms. Evans adds, “if you do find her… don’t bring her back here. Start a new life with her. A life that you both create. Your life is not for her. So, create one that belongs to the both of you.”

Without saying the words, Ms. Evans makes it very clear to me… I had a part in all this too. I tried to force Ember into a world she didn’t want to be in. I was selfish. I was focused on the past, rather than the future with my new wife. I did this. I fucking did this.

“Do you know where my mother is?” I ask between clenched teeth. I can’t even breathe through the fury attacking my body.

“She’s downstairs.”

My mother… how do I forgive what she’s done?

I may never be able to, but for now, I need to focus on finding Ember. My mother will at least know where the plane went, and I can start from there. I’ll find Ember, and I’ll make my mother help me in doing so. She’ll pay for what she did to my wife. For what she did to us.

4

Christopher

“I’m trying really hard not to scream and strangle you right now,” I say, clenching my fist to try to contain the rage that wants to erupt from inside. If she weren’t my mother….