He Stole My Title, So I Took His True Heir novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: The Man Who Didn't Step In

Cade's POV

I had driven Willa Brandvold down this road once before, three years ago, in the rain, in the other direction.

I had driven her to the Ironwood border, and I had let her out of the truck, and I had said nothing.

This time we were going to the Council's pre-hearing, and Mabel was asleep in a car seat between us because Willa wouldn't leave her with anyone for more than an hour.

"You're gripping the wheel," she said.

"It's a good wheel."

She almost smiled and watched the road.

The pre-hearing was in a rented room above the county feed store, neutral ground, with a long table and four elders.

Bram came in alone.

He had shaved, and it made him look younger and worse.

He took the chair across from her and put both hands flat on the table. He had practiced that.

"Willa," he said. "Thank you for coming."

"I came because the Council summoned me."

"I know. I wanted to say, before it starts." He glanced at Mabel's seat. "I've been wrong. I've been wrong about a lot of things. Come home, and I'll fix all of it. The cloak, the list, the report. Everything."

I stayed very still.

This was the moment I had watched on the road, three years ago, in my own head, for a thousand nights.

She'd gone back that time. She had stood in the rain beside his truck, and she had looked at him and she had gone.

I had told myself it was her choice, and it had been.

I had also told myself I would have done something different if I'd been a better man, and I had never found out what.

"Bram," Willa said.

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