Chapter 78

Theo's POV The fury that had been building in my chest since Claire began her story reached a crescendo as she finished speaking. My mother. My son. Both of them had wronged her, each in their own cruel way, each believing they had the right to dictate her choices, her future, her very existence. I pulled back from our kiss, my hands framing her face as I looked into her eyes. They were still bright with unshed tears, still holding the echo of fear from Adrian's assault and the sting of my mother's words. The sight of that pain in her beautiful green eyes made something primitive and protective roar to life in my chest. "Look at me," I said softly, my thumbs brushing across her cheekbones. "Really look at me, Claire." She met my gaze, her breath still coming in short bursts from our kiss, from the emotional weight of everything she'd shared. "You will never have to face them alone again," I promised, my voice carrying every ounce of conviction I possessed. "Never. I don't care if it's