I wiped away the tears streaming down my cheeks. Taking the long satin robe from the back of the door, I slipped it on and pulled it tight around my body.

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and paused. This was the moment that has been building for two weeks. There was no turning back now. I opened my eyes and walked out of the bedroom door, the only remaining barrier between me and my fate.

***

Standing at Prince Leonardo’s ...