I knew the moment Cassie’s text appeared on my screen that I needed to leave the boutique immediately. But how could I explain it without setting off alarm bells for my mom or Laura? The last thing I wanted was to trigger another lockdown under Liam’s iron rule.

So I pressed a hand to my forehead and feigned dizziness. That was enough, within minutes, both women were fussing over me, ushering me back into the car. By the time we returned to Liam’s house, I was tucked into bed like fragile ...