The Mafia's Blind Wife

WARNING: This story contains mature content intended for adult readers only. Discretion is advised.

SERAPHINA

"Lucian-oh."

His hand closed over my breast, sudden and solid, and a sound pulled itself from deep in my throat. I tried to push him away, to still his fingers, but each press of his palm only fed the heat that was spreading, slow as honey, through my skin.

"Your body knows what it wants," he said, his voice low enough to feel as much as hear. His fingers glided down my left thigh, light as water over stone.

My breath came heavy now, ragged at the edges. I meant to stop him. I meant to ask to see his eyes-though darkness was all I'd known since the accident stole my sight. This man, bound to me only by paper, was the one who'd taken me in.

I gasped as his hand moved higher, tracing the inside of my thigh until my bones felt loose with sensation I'd never imagined. I pressed my palm to my mouth to muffle the sounds building there-sharp, needy things I didn't recognize as my own.

Since losing my sight, my other senses had sharpened to a fine point. Sharp enough to lead us here, to this edge of something I couldn't name.

I heard his laugh-warm, rich, the kind that settled deep in my chest like sun on cold wood.

"Your eyes are gone, but every other part of you is burning alive," he said. I jolted as his fingers brushed my waist, lifting my shirt with careful ease.

"Lucian!" I tried to pull back, but my limbs were soft as moss.

The truth sat heavy in my ribs: I'd never seen his face. All I had of him was the timber of his voice, the weight of his touch-the only proof he was real, that he was here.

"Easy, Sera," he said, his breath warm against my neck as he leaned closer. "Isn't this what we're meant to do?"

I braced my hands on the bed beside me, fighting to keep my balance.

"We're not really married," I whispered. "It's just a contract. You don't want this-your grandmother made you agree. This is... payment. For saving her. For what happened to me-"

His lips cut off my words, brushing my jaw. Heat flooded me again, so fierce I almost forgot how to breathe.

"Papers don't make a marriage," he murmured against my ear, and shivers ran down my spine like rain on glass. "Contract or no, you're my wife."

He held my shoulders gently, then eased me back onto the mattress. I let him guide me-what choice did I have, when my body was already leaning into his hands?

I felt his weight press close, and my heart hammered against my ribs hard enough to hurt.

Lucian... what do you see when you look at me? What are you thinking?

"You're fragile," he said, breathing in the space just below my ear before kissing my neck, slow and deliberate. "My grandmother made sure the contract keeps you safe. So until your sight comes back-I'll be your eyes. Whether you think I want to or not, I'll care for you. I'll be the one who touches you-" He laughed softly, kissing my neck again, moving up to my jaw, then to my lips.

I clung to his biceps-firm, solid under my fingers-as his mouth claimed mine. Deep, hungry, like I was the air he'd been searching for. Without thinking, I kissed him back; if I didn't, I'd have drowned in the need that was rising up inside me.

When we pulled apart, I was gasping, my chest heaving with the force of it.

"And I'll be the one who gives you pleasure," he said, his voice rough now, thick with want.

My pulse raced at his words. His hands slid down my legs, then slowly peeled off my shorts and underwear. I bit my lip to hold back a cry-my skin felt like it was on fire, every nerve ending awake and reaching for him.

I want to see you. I want to know what your face looks like when you touch me.

When did you start being so gentle?

I covered my mouth as his hands parted my legs. I was open to him now, and I knew he could see how my body had awakened under his touch-no lie in skin, no lie in want.

"Oh-" I cried out as his finger slid through me, slow and sure.

"You're so wet for me," he said. And I knew I was done for.

No matter how hard I tried to deny what he did to me, my body never lied.

Everything shifted after that day. We grew closer, hotter, more tangled than I'd ever thought possible. Slowly, I learned to know him through touch alone-I found myself craving even the lightest brush of his fingers on my skin. And what I never saw coming was that I'd fallen in love with him.

But when did it all break? Was it because I knew so little of him-only his name, the fact that he was a billionaire, a businessman? Did I fail to ask about the life he'd lived before me?

I was shattered the day I overheard him talking. Words I'd never dreamed I'd hear.

Lucian planned to kill me the moment my sight returned.

The doctors said there was every chance I'd see again. That was why the contract was only temporary.

Lucian... who are you? You're not just a businessman, are you?

So on the very day my vision cleared-blurry at first, then sharp-I ran. I hid from him, terrified he'd keep his word. I left without knowing I carried his child inside me-the result of every night we'd spent tangled together, bodies and hearts bare.

I ran away with his heir. I tried to forget him, and it wasn't hard-not when I'd never seen his face. I only knew his scent, his voice, the way he touched me.

But why?

Why is there a man here now-who smells like him, sounds like him, touches me the same way?

A man with no memory of who he was.

LUCIAN

"Fuck me! How long has it been? Shit, I'd forgotten how this place smells!"

We all flinched as Kidd-one of my oldest friends-yelled loud enough to turn heads. We'd barely stepped off the jet, and he was already drawing stares.

Kieran smacked him upside the head. "Chill out! You're yelling like a madman," he snapped, and we all huffed out a laugh.

"Someone's in a mood," Kidd shot back. "Go find a woman and work that out! Dammit."

"Believe me, I will," Kieran fired back. "Better than you-you let that blonde in Moscow slip away without even a kiss. Useless."

Kidd's jaw tightened. "Coward? I'm not the one who still defends our old man!"

That pushed Kieran over the edge. "Bullshit-he's our father!"

They were still going at it as we reached the terminal. No one would guess they were brothers, but they fought like this over everything.

"You okay?"

I glanced at Ace, my right-hand man, walking beside me.

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" I said, moving through the crowd without really seeing it.

He chuckled. "Right... why wouldn't you be?"

How long since I left this country? How long since I lost her?

I remember her clearly-her scent like jasmine and rain, the way her voice softened when she spoke, the sound of her laugh. It all feels like yesterday.

Why did you run the second you could see me, Sera? Was I not enough?

I laughed bitterly, my mind drifting until I bumped into something small and solid.

"Ouch!" A tiny voice squeaked.

I snapped to attention and looked down. A little boy-maybe four, dressed in a fluffy bear costume-was on the ground, struggling to push himself up. His eyes were glossy with tears.

"You okay, kiddo?" I knelt to help him, lifting him into my arms with one hand.

He just nodded, his voice trembling. "Mama and Leo... gone."

Shit. He was alone.

"Hey!" Kidd waved a giant chocolate lollipop overhead, with Kieran scowling beside him. "Holy fuck! Since when did you become a kidnapper?!"

Kieran smacked him again. "Idiot-keep your voice down!"

Ace shook his head at the pair before walking over. "So? Whose kid is this?"

"No idea-we collided. Looks like he's lost." The boy suddenly wrapped his arms around my neck, his small hands warm on my skin.

Sweet kid...

We were about to head inside when another boy came running toward us, shouting.

"Bad man! Give me Rio back!"

Ace and I exchanged looks.

"Leo!" The boy in my arms called out.

"Your brother?" I asked. He nodded.

Twins. And they spoke English-impressive for their age.

"Rio! Wahh!" The second boy hit my arm lightly as he reached us. Ace lifted him up; he was a mirror image of the first.

"Where the hell are their parents?" Kieran muttered.

"Let's take them to-"

"Leo! Rio!"

We all turned at the sound of the voice. A woman was running toward us, panic etched into every line of her face. The boys lit up and yelled "Mom!"

My body went still. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe, as I stared at her.

"Sera." I whispered her name, and it felt like coming home.

"Oh my God! Rio! Leo!" She reached us, tears streaming down her cheeks as she took the boy from me. "Thank you-thank you so much for looking after them."

Boys? She has children?

"Hehe! Mom, they're nice!" The boy in my arms said, and our eyes met.

I'd know her anywhere. Every curve of her face, the way her voice cracked when she was upset-everything about her was exactly as I remembered.

"Thank you again," she said, pressing her face to the boy's hair. "I just stepped away for a minute to use the restroom, and they were gone-I've been looking everywhere."

But I couldn't hear her. All I could see was her-my Sera, standing right in front of me.

She didn't recognize me, of course. She'd been blind back then. She'd never seen my face.

I stood frozen as she turned and walked away with the boys, her hand holding tight to each of theirs.

"L! What the fuck? You're staring into space."

I shook my head, not answering. Then I started walking, a smirk pulling at my lips.

Finally. Fate brought us back together.

No matter what life she has now. No matter who she says fathered those boys. No matter why she left me four years ago.

I'll win her back. She won't get away this time.

Because she's mine.

Contracted or not-you're my wife, Sera.

SERAPHINA

"Oh my god, Yuki! Get out of here-shoo! Go home!"

I sprinted toward the road where our long-haired mutt was tangled up with a stray, fur flying as they circled each other. I held my umbrella high, using it to nudge them apart before things went too far, my nose wrinkling at the earthy, musky smell of their excitement.

I pointed at Yuki-Dad had begged his boss for her years ago, and she'd been ours ever since. "You horny little troublemaker! We don't have money for puppies if you get knocked up!" I snapped.

Yuki whined, her tail drooping as she stared after the stray. When I made a show of swinging my hand at the male dog, he took off in a flash of brown fur.

"And you!" I glared at her. "Planning to camp out here all night?" She flinched and bolted toward our rickety wooden house, her claws clicking against the dirt.

I followed her inside to find Dad hunched over his phone, his shoulders hunched in the way I knew meant he was gambling again. I cleared my throat loud enough to make him jump-he whipped around, pale as fresh paper.

"S-Sera!" He stuffed the phone behind his back so fast it nearly slipped. "Been home long?"

I shook my head. "Just got here, Papa."

If only Mama knew about this. He looked hooked, and the thought twisted in my gut. But he just raised an eyebrow, acting like nothing was wrong.

"Hmm. Well, get inside then. What are you staring at? The dishes are piled up in the kitchen-wash them before you start dinner."

I forced a smile. "Yes, Papa. I'll take care of it."

He went right back to his screen. Not a word about my day, or if I was tired, or what I might want to eat. No surprise there.

I didn't linger. Even from the doorway, I could see the mountain of crusty plates and pots-they'd clearly waited for me to clean up after them. I was drained from back-to-back classes, but this was how it always was. I'd grown used to feeling like an outsider in my own home, but the sting never quite faded.

As I scrubbed grime from a pot, Mama walked past. Her face tightened the second she saw me.

"Really, Sera? What kind of girl comes home this late? Good grief-you're always causing problems!"

It's barely five o'clock. I bit back the words. Arguing only made her yell louder.

"I'm sorry, Mama. Classes ran long."

"Tsk! Hurry up! Hera will be home soon, and you haven't even started cooking." She stomped off, her footsteps heavy against the wooden floorboards.

I sighed and kept washing. Hera was two years younger than me, but we'd be graduating college together-I'd had to take two years off when Mama made me quit to work. I'd had no choice but to agree.

My stomach rumbled as I finished up-I'd skipped lunch to save my allowance. I got to work right away, boiling rice and frying canned corned beef from the town's relief supplies.

"Mama, dinner's ready. You should eat first," I called out before heading to my room-the walls were cracked, and a hole in the roof was big enough to stick my head through.

I changed clothes and stayed put, waiting for them to finish. I knew they'd never ask me to sit at the table with them-it was always this way.

I still didn't understand why they hated me so much. Even as a kid, they'd kept their distance. I'd asked if I was adopted, but they swore we were blood-said a DNA test would prove it.

I let out a long breath and looked up at the sky through the hole above me. "Really, Lord? You love testing me, don't you?"

When I heard dishes clattering in the kitchen, I finally stepped out. I was starving.

"Mama, did you save me any food?" I asked quietly.

"There was some left, but we kept it for Hera. We forgot about you." She laughed, but it was sharp as glass.

I dropped my gaze. Of course. For Hera.

"Okay, Mama. I'll just go to sleep then."

She raised an eyebrow. "Fine, sleep. Why the long face? Are you mad you didn't get any?"

I jumped at her shout and shook my head. "No, Mama!"

"Don't give me that look, Sera. Get a job if you want to eat! Dammit, you're always bothering me."

I turned away, my jaw tight, just as Hera walked in. "Hey, everyone!"

Mama and Dad rushed to her side. "Our beautiful girl! Even tired from class, you're still so pretty!" They kissed her cheeks, cooing over her bag and her hair.

"Go eat, Hera-we saved your favorite for you," Mama said, her voice soft as silk.

I bit my lip and headed back to my room, staring at the cracked wall as my mind spun.

That's all I'd ever wanted-for them to look at me like that. We were both their daughters, so why was I so different? Why did they hold every bit of care back from me?

The pain was sharp, but I didn't cry-I was used to it by now. Even so, a part of me still ached for the love they showered on Hera.

I slapped my cheeks hard, then pinched them to pull myself together. "Come on, Sera. You're tough-this won't break you. The Lord must have something big planned!" I forced a laugh, whispering the words to the empty room.

Sleep was better than dwelling on it. I had an event at school early tomorrow, and I needed to be up before dawn.

"Mama, I'm heading to school!" I called out, raising my voice to cut through the quiet house. She could be anywhere-her room, the yard-so shouting was the only way to be sure.

I waited a few seconds, but no answer came. I scratched my head, my heart racing-I was already running late. I needed to ask her for a hundred pesos to cover something my savings couldn't stretch to.

"Mama?" I called again.

I was about to give up and leave when I heard footsteps. Mama rounded the corner, phone in hand, wearing a smile I'd never seen before-tight and strange.

She looked me up and down, her eyes narrowing when they landed on my backpack.

"Mama, I have to go-"

"You're not going anywhere," she said, her voice flat and firm. Confusion knotted in my chest.

"What do you mean-"

"Quit school, Sera." She stared at me with a cold glint in her eye, then let out a small smirk. "There's a better life waiting for you."

My chest tightened with unease. I forced a laugh. "Mama, come on-it's too early for jokes-"

She cut me off, grabbing my arm so hard I winced. I'd never seen her like this-her grip was like iron.

"I said you're not going. Do you understand me?!"

I gasped and pulled my arm away with all my strength.

"I'm going to school," I repeated, and ran for the door.

"Sera! Get back here, you little brat! I'm talking to you!" I blocked out her shouts, sprinting down the dirt path away from the house.

What is wrong with her? She'd seemed almost happy a minute ago-why was she turning on me again?

I shook my head as I walked, knowing I'd never make the event on time now. I'd had to walk since I couldn't afford fare, and the school was just ahead.

Great, Seraphina. Real smart. I messed up my hair in frustration. "Why do you always land yourself in this mess?!"

I muttered to myself as I trudged onward, just steps from the school's back gate. I could already picture my teacher scolding me, my friends teasing me-but none of that mattered when I saw the black van pull up beside an old woman standing by the road.

Then I saw the glint of a knife.

My eyes went wide as two men shoved her toward the van's open door. Kidnapping? Oh my god!

I acted without thinking, charging toward them as I screamed. "Stop! You can't do this-let her go!"

They turned to look at me-masked faces, dark eyes hard with anger. I hurled my heavy backpack full of books at one of them, then rushed to the old woman, who'd slumped against the van, blood seeping from her side.

"Oh my god! Are you okay? Breathe slowly!" I pulled out my handkerchief and pressed it to her wound, holding tight to stem the flow.

"Who the hell are you?!" one of the men snarled.

"Help! Someone help us! They're trying to hurt her!" I yelled at passing cars, my voice cracking with fear.

The men panicked-they didn't want attention. They started climbing into the van, but my eyes were locked on the man in the passenger seat-he wasn't masked, and he was staring right at me. We held each other's gaze for a second too long, then something cold and sharp sprayed into my face.

"AHHH! My eyes!" I screamed as searing pain shot through them. I couldn't open them, couldn't see a thing-whatever they'd used burned like acid, making tears stream down my cheeks.

"Argh..." I groaned, but forced myself to keep holding the old woman close, my hands shaking.

"Hold on, ma'am," I whispered.

But the pain was too much. The world went black before I could feel if she was still breathing.

SERAPHINA

Noise first-running feet, shouts that blurred into one another. I fought to pry my eyes open, but the dark met me like a wall. I waved a hand before my face, fingers slicing through air I could feel but not see. Nothing. Just black, thick as water.

"W-What happened?" The words fell flat in the quiet.

My head throbbed, every muscle singing with ache. I tried to sit up, limbs heavy as stone. Dead? Hit by a car? I clawed at memory, but it slipped like soap. Car? What was I doing before...

I touched my forehead, then my eyelids-they were open, I could feel the stretch of skin. So why was the world gone?

Fragments clicked into place, sharp and sudden: the old woman hunched on the sidewalk, the glint of a knife, the van's rust-colored door slamming shut.

Right. I'd fought with Mama at dawn-she'd screamed about dropping out, said school was a waste of money I didn't have. I'd stormed out, walking to campus when I saw them drag her in, saw the blade tear through her cotton shirt. I'd run without thinking, feet slamming against asphalt.

What came after? I squeezed my lids shut, chasing the ghost of it.

Then I remembered.

"He sprayed something in my eyes!" I jolted upright, sheets twisting around my legs.

My heart hammered against my ribs, so hard I felt it in my throat. I spun my head side to side, hands scrabbling over cool linen. The dark didn't shift.

The truth landed slow and heavy, pressing the air from my lungs.

"Am I... blind? Did I lose my sight?" My voice cracked, thin as spider silk. Hot tears tracked down my cheeks, and I didn't bother to wipe them away. Blind.

How will I finish school? My work? How can I make something of myself when I can't even find my own hands? Fear coiled in my gut, tight as a spring. They'll hate me more now.

If they'd resented me when I could see-when I'd scraped for every peso to pay tuition-what would they do now?

I drew a shaky breath, forcing my hands to unclench. That's when I heard it: a door opening, soft as a whisper, then closing. No footsteps, no words.

"H-Hello? Is anyone there?"

A pause, then a quiet clearing of throat. "I take it you've realized your condition, Miss Mortez." The voice was calm, even-like pouring water into a glass. A doctor, maybe.

"Am I really blind?" My hands trembled in my lap, knuckles white.

"For now. But it isn't permanent. We expect full sight back within a year-maybe sooner."

A year. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, but the knot in my chest didn't loosen. A year in darkness... who would take me in?

"W-What about the woman I tried to help? Is she okay?"

Another pause-long enough I could almost feel her looking at me. "You're worried about her, even now?" A hint of warmth in her laugh. "She's stable. Healing well."

Something lightened in my chest. The doctor spoke of swelling, of treatment, of drops I'd need to take-but the words slid off me, leaving only one thought: Mama.

"Would you like us to contact your family? We can have someone call them."

I froze. "I... I don't know their numbers by heart." My voice sounded small, lost.

"I see. We'll find a way to-" The door slammed open so hard the frame rattled, wood groaning in protest.

"Seraphina!"

My breath caught. Mama.

"Ma'am, please-you can't just enter without-"

"M-Mama?" I cut through the doctor's protest, relief warring with dread so sharp it made my teeth ache. "How did you find me? I was so scared-"

A slap cracked through the air, landing hard on my cheek. I cried out, clutching my face as numbness spread over my skin. I didn't know where to turn-there was nowhere to look.

"Damn you! Useless enough before-now you're blind and good for nothing!" Her voice bounced off the walls, harsh and sharp.

"Mama, I didn't mean-"

Another slap, harder this time. My head spun, and I tasted copper on my tongue.

"You've never brought anything but curse to this house! Why did I even have you?"

Her words cut deeper than any blow. I heard her shouting at the doctor, voice rising and falling like broken glass. It was nothing new-Mama's anger had always been a storm I couldn't outrun. I mumbled for the doctor to let her stay, my voice flat and heavy as stone.

The air in the room thickened, warm and sour with anger. Without sight, every sense felt amplified: the shift of the mattress as she sat beside me, the rasp of her breath, the faint smell of sweat and cooking oil clinging to her clothes. I hunched against the headboard, waiting.

"Your Aunt Aning showed up at the house to tell me where you were, you fool!" She snapped. "What are we supposed to do with you now?"

"I don't know, Mama. I don't know." My shoulders slumped, and the cane beside the bed felt like a weight I'd already been carrying.

So close to graduating. I'd counted every day, every exam, every paper I'd written by hand because we couldn't afford a computer. Now it all felt like smoke. Even if my sight came back-if-would anything be the same?

Silence stretched between us, long and tight. Then she spoke, and the words shredded what little hope I had left.

"I've decided. I'm selling you to Don Tiago. You're no use to us like this."

"Mama! I'm not a thing to be sold!" I cried out, hands fisting in the sheets until my knuckles burned.

She smacked my thigh, hard enough to make me flinch. "What else? You can't study, can't work-you'll just drain us dry. We need to take care of Hera, not clean up your messes!"

My chest tightened until I could barely breathe. How could she let me go so easy? What had I done to make her look at me like I was nothing more than a burden to be traded?

"At least with the governor, we'll get paid. You'll finally be worth something-and you'll live in a real house!"

Fear pricked at my skin, cold and sharp. Governor Tiago... the stories drifted through my head-whispers of young women taken to his estate, never seen again. Before I could speak, the world tilted, and darkness swallowed me whole.

"Sera! Are you done yet? Hurry-Hera's gonna fix your face so you don't look like you've been crying all week."

I dropped my head, fingers wrapped around the smooth wood of my cane. Two days had passed since I'd woken up blind. Papa had yelled until his voice gave out-exactly what I'd expected.

"I'm ready," I said, voice flat as I sat on the edge of the bed. Footsteps approached, quick and light, then Hera's voice cut through the air.

"Ugh. Why did you have to go and get yourself blinded? Now you're gonna be that creep's toy." Her fingers were cold as she grabbed my chin, dabbing something sweet-smelling on my cheeks.

I said nothing. My heart was already in pieces-what more could she do to hurt me?

"Ah well. Thanks for the money, though! Finally getting out of this hole. Guess you are the breadwinner after all."

I let her pull me to my feet, let Mama adjust my dress-too tight, too fancy, nothing I'd ever wear on my own. When they said the governor was here, they guided me toward the door, their hands heavy on my arms.

"What's wrong with you? Stop crying!" Mama hissed, pinching my side hard enough to make me gasp.

Who wouldn't cry when their own family is selling them? But I bit my tongue, letting her drag me forward.

"Stop it! You're making us look bad!" Hera complained beside me.

I was almost grateful for the dark-grateful I wouldn't have to see his face, or the greed shining in my family's eyes.

"Gov!" Mama called out, her voice bright as polished glass.

"Oh, Mrs. Mortez! Is this the girl?" The voice was slick, oily-like warm grease sliding over stone. I could almost picture his smile, too wide, too sharp.

How do I get away?

"Yes, sir! Isn't she beautiful?" Mama trilled.

"Beautiful indeed. Perfect, just perfect."

"Are you happy now, Mama?" The words slipped out before I could stop them, quiet as dust.

She pinched me again, and I let out a laugh that sounded like broken glass.

What else could I expect from people who never saw me as their own?

I listened as they haggled, voices rising and falling over numbers I tried not to hear. Then a hand wrapped around my arm-warm, but firm enough to make my skin crawl.

"You're a lovely thing, sweetheart," he murmured in my ear, his breath hot against my neck.

I didn't move, didn't speak, letting him lead me toward what I assumed was his car. But before I could take another step, a voice cut through the noise-deep, cold, and sharp as a blade.

"Negotiating human trafficking... is that how you conduct business, Gov Tiago?"

Even I froze, every muscle going tight. The hand on my arm squeezed hard with panic.

"V-Vitale! What are you doing here?" The governor's voice shook.

Vitale?

"I'm here for Seraphina Mortez. And it seems you're holding her against her will."

The governor shoved me away so fast I stumbled, my cane clattering to the ground. Strong arms caught me before I hit the dirt, pulling me close against a chest solid as stone. His scent filled my lungs-clean pine, something sharp and warm like wood smoke.

"W-What do you want with me?" I asked, my hands finding his shoulders, fingers curling into the fabric of his jacket.

"Not now. We'll talk later. Just hold on." His voice was low, steady-impossible to resist.

"W-Wait! She's our daughter-" Papa stammered.

"How much did he offer you?" The man cut him off, his tone leaving no room for lies.

"H-Huh?"

"I won't ask again."

"Five hundred thousand dollars."

Five hundred thousand. I'd worked three jobs for a year to save a tenth of that. I wasn't surprised-nothing about this should have surprised me.

"I'll pay triple. In exchange, you forget Seraphina Mortez was ever your daughter. No claims, no contact. And if you ever try to find her..." He paused, and the silence that followed was more terrifying than any threat.

"You'll regret it."

I heard my family scrambling, voices rising in panic and greed all at once. Then strong arms lifted me off my feet, and I wrapped my legs around his waist instinctively, clinging to his neck. I said nothing as he carried me to a car, setting me gently on seats soft as buttered leather.

"Stay here. I'll handle the rest." He closed the door, leaving me alone in the quiet dark-wondering who this man was, and why he'd pulled me from a fate I'd already begun to accept.