The blade rose again, gleaming as it arced down toward Stewart's wrist-

Briony's eyes widened in horror. "No!"

Bang!

A gunshot rang out. The bullet struck Ferdinand's hand-the one gripping the knife.

The blade clattered to the ground.

Ferdinand clutched his bleeding hand, whirling around-

Mary stood there, both hands wrapped around a black pistol, her eyes red with grief and rage. "Ferdinand, let them go!"

He stared at her for a long moment, then let out a bitter laugh. "Mary? Even you would betray me?"

Tears streaming down her face, Mary shook her head. "Ferdinand, I love you! But you've gone too far. So many people have already died because of you too many! Please, let this go!"

"You love me?" Ferdinand threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing off the rain-slicked rocks. "Mary, this is your love? Stabbing me in the back? You foolish woman!"

"I am foolish," Mary choked out, "for loving you, yes. But Ferdinand, I've never regretted it!"

Her hands trembled as she held the gun, fear making her whole body shake, but she stood her ground. "You saved me once, and that's why I agreed to be a surrogate for you. That was my way of repaying you. But Briony helped me too— saving her is how I repay her!"

Ferdinand found it almost funny.

He'd underestimated Mary.

it in you to

pupils dilating with

If you're going to shoot, make it count—because

for the

agony twisting her voice. "I mean it—I'll shoot,

just laughed, unfazed, his

her whole body wracked with grief, the gun shaking

Ferdinand lifted the blade once more and turned toward Stewart, Mary's composure cracked. "You're

teeth, finger

exploded. Thunder rolled

Ferdinand square in the

hadn't pulled

and then

"Ferdinand!"

hand clutching her pregnant belly, but she was too

reached out and

split second,

he

moment of his life, his Bryn never

eyes, lips twisting

out everything. When he

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