“Margaret,” Thomas began, his voice a gentle rumble, “there’s something you should know.”

She tensed, memories of her father’s harsh words flashing through her mind. “Yes?”

Thomas hesitated, searching for the right words. “When you came here, it was to fulfill a bargain, clear your family’s debts. But that’s not why I wanted you to stay.”

Margaret’s heart pounded. She braced herself for rejection, a dismissal of her worth.