Page 154 of Outcast’s Vow

I nod.

“Yes, I am safe,” I reply. “Safer than I’ve ever felt, and it’s thanks to Baptiste.”

She slowly takes a sip of her coffee.

“Good. I’m glad he found you.”

“I simply want to thank you for raising such an amazing son, Mina,” I say. “And you did it all on your own.”

This must be why my subconscious brought me here. To say those words. To her.

I’m glad I did.

Mina reaches out and takes my hand, clasping it tight.

“You’re beautiful, Sylvie. You two make a perfect pair, and I wish you the best. I am the happiest woman in the world to have you as a daughter.”

* * *

Late in the evening, Baptiste has to go into work for some urgent meeting, which means I’m left home alone.

I like the time to myself. Tonight, I refuse to open my laptop and do any study. This needs to be an evening for me. To unwind. I take a bath. I light candles, read a new romantasy book, and listen to some background music.

It’s heaven.

After I’ve washed, I head into the living room to watch TV, but the doorbell sounds before I even make it to the couch.

I glance at my phone. It’s very late.

Who could that be?

The intercom screen shows a woman about my age waiting downstairs. I haven’t seen her before in my life, but I think I know who she is...

I press the buzzer to let her up.

I open the door.

“Hello?”

My visitor is short, with chestnut brown hair and soft green eyes full of sweetness. Rosy cheeks. She seems nervous to meet me.

“I’m so sorry to bother you,” she says. “I thought this would be the wrong time. I was passing through, and I wanted to say hello in person. I’ve been meaning to do it forever, but life’s just got in the way. For both of us, it seems from what I’ve heard. Hello, I’m Elise. Elise Auclair.”

Oh.

“Hello! I’m Sylvie.”

My sudden warm welcome seems to smash the ice, and Elise steps forward to give me a tight hug. She smells of honey and vanilla.

“It’s so nice to meet you at last,” she says. “I’m sorry about how late it is, but my husband says Baptiste was back in town, and I was hoping I’d catch you. Clement has told me all about you.”

“Baptiste’s done the same.”

“Welcome to the crazy brotherhood,” she says.

“Crazy is putting it mildly.”

Elise laughs.