Page 67 of Bride By Coronation

I don't say anything.

The alarm on her phone blares through the air.

She reaches into her purse, pulls it out, and turns it off. She swallows hard and locks eyes with me. "Are you sure you're able to do this? If you aren't, don't go, Fiona. The minute you leave with Valentina, you're committing to it. If you change your mind, they'll kill you."

Nausea sours my stomach.

There's no choice.

I breathe through it and rise. "My decision is made."

Zara stands with fresh remorse flooding her beautiful features. "I feel horrible about this."

"You should," I agree, not willing to let her off the hook. I pick up the envelope. "I don't need this."

She shakes her head. "Please. Keep it in your safe. If anything ever happens to us, our wishes are the same."

"What's going to happen?" I fret. "I told you I'll marry him."

She holds her hand up. "I just meant for any reason. Like if an accident happens or we keel over from a heart attack."

I scoff. "Both of you at the same time?"

"You know what I mean."

"Well, nothing is happening to you," I insist.

"Please put it in your safe. I feel better as a mother having a plan in place," she confesses.

I put the envelope on the table. "Okay."

Another alarm goes off.

She wrinkles her forehead and swipes her phone. It stops and she declares, "I have to go. I feel sick over this, but I won't lie, Fiona. Iselfishly don't want my kids orphaned or to die. So I know this sounds hollow, but thank you. Sean and I both thank you."

I grunt. "Make sure my brother knows he owes me."

Zara's lips twitch. "Don't worry, I will."

"Forever. If I have to commit to eternity, then tell him he's never getting off the hook with me," I add.

She bites on her smile, nodding, then states, "I'll relay the message. He'll be thrilled about it."

A laugh escapes me. I can just imagine how much my brother will hate it when Zara tells him. "I'm sure he will be."

Zara smiles and hugs me. "I have to go. I love you. So does Sean. We'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" I question, going through my schedule in my head.

"At your coronation," Zara announces.

My stomach flips. "Oh. It's tomorrow?"

"Yes. And if I don't leave now, I might end up dead anyway." She hugs me tighter, then retreats. "Thank you."

I stay silent as I watch her leave, then pace a few minutes.

Valentina. Ugh.

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