Daniel couldn’t stop talking. All evening. Through dinner. For hours afterward. Excited. Obsessive. Planning.

The vow renewal consumed him. Made him giddy like a groom instead of a monster. Like a husband instead of an abuser.

Emma sat beside him on the couch. Forced to listen. To nod. To smile. To perform interest in a ceremony that would seal her to the devil publicly. Permanently.

Unless Robert came. Unless the message reached him. Unless the plan worked.

Daniel ...