Page 130 of Borden 3

But I hurt so badly for Theo. He was alone. He was starting a new journey without me by his side. This pain I had to put aside. I couldn’t dwell on him anymore.

But the chaos of it would mount silently inside of me over the years.

One day it would haunt me, and I wouldn’t be able to outrun this sort of grief.

I only hoped that when this day came, I would be able to put Theo to rest.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Emma

The eradication of the syndicate took days. A week upon perhaps another. In that safehouse, surrounded by Link and Granny, it didn’t feel as lonely as I thought it would be.

Of course Granny had packed photo albums. Of course she had flicked through them for the hundredth time to Link, pointing me out in every photo, even the ones I was with mom in. Instead of feeling that tug of pain at that, I simply smiled, feeling at peace.

“Mom’s hairdo is weird,” Link said.

I laughed. Granny chuckled, too. “You mother was always rocking to her own tune. She didn’t care what anyone thought of her hair, or her looks. Well, maybe she cared once.” Granny looked at me with that sweet smile. “When she felt alone.”

Link looked at me. “Don’t feel alone, Mom. I’m with you.”

I leaned over and planted a kiss on Link’s head. “I’m never alone with you. You’re my sunshine. You make everything that’s dark bright again.”

Link smiled and looked back at the pictures of me posing alone. “We’re the same, Mom. We don’t have a brother or a sister.”

My heart tugged. “Maybe one day.”

Granny shot me a sad smile. “Whatever happens, we have each other.”

Nodding, my eyes shined. She was right.

Just then, I heard the door of the safehouse open. My eyes widened and I jumped to my feet, racing to it. I expected to see my husband—

But it was Hector, dishevelled and filthy, and he was panting as he came through. I looked past him, expecting Borden, but Hector had come alone. He looked at me with troubled eyes. “Emma…”

In that one word, my whole body shattered. I wavered on my feet, almost collapsing to the ground. I could hardly form words. My throat felt tight and I felt hot all over. “Borden…”

He was dead.

Gone.

Hector was sorrowful and grim. Instantly, I felt like my life was over. I wouldn’t be able to bear it. I wouldn’t be able to endure an existence without Marcus.

Hector rushed to me, gathering me in his arms as I shook like an earthquake. “Emma, Borden is okay. He’s okay. I promise. It’s Theo. Emma, he’s asking for you…”

My head shot up in shock. I stared at Hector in disbelief. Bittersweet emotions. The relief coupled with intense pain. “No…”

“You need to come now.”

Chapter Forty-Eight

Emma

Hector said Theo had saved Borden right before he’d gotten shot in the chest.

Nothing else he said made it to my ears. The world lost all sound. My heart thumped in my ears. I felt nauseous and detached. The pain was at bay…

Until I saw him.

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