#Chapter Eleven: The Blood

Elijah "I didn’t permit you to return here," I said coldly, my voice steady, though inside I was anything but. I had not expected her to come back now—if ever. Olivia’s smile was tight, revealing nothing of the turmoil I felt at her presence. "I just want to talk." I glanced toward Agnes and Thea as Agnes carried her away. Thea, clearly frightened, hid her face in Agnes’s shoulder. I was grateful for Agnes’s presence in this moment, to protect Thea by carrying her away without me even having to ask. And I hated the way Olivia’s very existence seemed to cast a shadow over our little family. Reluctantly, I nodded. “We will go speak in the study,” I told Olivia firmly. Once we were alone, Olivia wasted no time. "After giving birth to Thea, I suffered from severe postpartum depression. I couldn’t control my actions." Her voice was tinged with whiny desperation, but I felt no sympathy. "What you did to Thea is unforgivable," I said, my voice hardening. The guilt that