Kept Bride (The Secret Bride 2)

I walk to the closet, and my heart breaks when I open it. She’s sitting in a ball in the farthest corner with bloodshot eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Christopher,” she begins on a sob. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s going on anymore. I feel so…. I don’t know what I feel.”

I rush to her side and take her into my arms. “What happened? Why are you in the closet?”

“I was so afraid, and… I scared those women. I scared your mother. I made a fool of myself.”

“Why are you afraid? Did something happen?” I begin stroking her hair and placing small kisses on her forehead as I hold her firmly against my body.

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” she mumbles into my chest and then begins crying harder.

“It matters to me.”

She raises her eyes to me, and her lip quivers. “I’m always going to be the freak. I’m always going to be the girl who people stare at and talk about behind her back. And it’s my fault. Mine. Those women saw me tonight and are going to walk away telling everyone they witnessed the crazy ghost girl they saw on the news. I’m living up to all the rumors. I had a chance to be normal tonight, and instead… this happens.” She sobs harder than I’ve ever seen. Her fists dig into her eyes as she tries to wipe away the tears.

“It’s all right. I’m here.” I scoop my arm under her legs and pick her up. I carry her to the bed and place her gently on it, repositioning us so I can hold her in my arms again. I may never let her go.

“I saw straw—Scarecrow’s straw—but then Ms. Evans said there was no straw. And… I thought they were here. I really thought they were here. I really thought I saw straw.”

“You’re safe,” I soothe. “There’s no one here.”

Ember pulls away, wipes at her eyes, and stares up at me. “I don’t think we are. I think Papa Rich is never going to give up on me. On us. We wronged him, and he’s a man with conviction to right any wrong.”

Frustration bubbles inside me, and though a part of me wants to shout and scream at Ember for once again letting that man control our thoughts, I know she’s in a fragile state and I need to be calm. I also agree with my mother. Ember does need help. We both do. We need someone to help us navigate these fears and emotions of hers. She’s afraid, and I’m pissed. I can’t be sympathetic like she needs, and she can’t handle the rage inside me.

“You need to stop calling him Papa Rich,” I say as calmly as I can, but I know the words come out harsh. “He’s not your father. He’s not in our lives anymore and never will be again. I told you I’d protect you, and I mean it. He can’t kidnap you again. It will never happen.”

“I tried,” she says softly as she rests her cheek on my chest again. “I really tried. I got all dressed up, did my hair, and was actually really excited to go to the party. But then I got locked inside, I swear I saw straw, and… I freaked out. Maybe I’m going crazy. Maybe I’ve always been that way.”

“Anxiety can do that,” I say. “Maybe you had a panic attack or something to cause this. I’m sorry. I left you too soon and pushed you too hard to live life like nothing happened to us. I think this was just your mind and body telling you that you aren’t ready yet. And that’s okay. We don’t have to rush things. There’s no timetable. We go at our own speed.”

“I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to this. I feel like I’m in a storm and, no matter what I do, I can’t find shelter,” she confesses.

“I know. I’m in that storm with you as well, but we will find shelter. I’m going to find us a therapist to help guide us in all this. Will that be okay?”

She tenses but then eventually nods. “Okay.”

“I love you, Ember. Just hold on to that one fact when you feel lost. I love you.”

There’s a long moment of silence, and then she says, “Your mother hates me. I don’t blame her.” She sniffles, but it sounds as if she’s at least done sobbing.

“She’ll get over what happened. She’s embarrassed. That’s all, and you aren’t the first person to have a scene at one of her parties. Trust me, she’s witnessed far worse.”

“I’m sorry. I really am. I’m also sorry you had to fly back so soon. I hope I didn’t hurt anything with your work.”

I sigh and pull her off me. “Work’s fine. It’s been a really long day for the both of us. It’s late, and we could both use some rest. Let’s get undressed and go to bed.”