Part 287 (1/2)

sworn to them that I would always look after him. That I'd keep him

safe. But I broke my promise. No one ever punished me. No one ever

blamed me.”

”But you did. Haven't you blamed yourself? Punished yourself?”

”If I hadn't run away-he called to me.” For an instant it flashed into

her mind. The way his voice had raced after her as she'd fled down the

dark hall. ”He was so scared, but I didn't go back to him. I knew they

were going to hurt him, but I ran. And he died. I should have stayed.

I was supposed to stay.”

”Could you have helped him?”

”I ran because I was afraid for myself.”

”You were a child, Emma.”

What difference does that make? I made a promise. You don't break

promises to people you love, no matter how difficult they are to keep. I

made one to Drew, and I stayed because

”Because?”

”Because I deserved to be punished.” She closed her eyes on a dull,

dreary horror. ”Oh G.o.d. Did I stay all those months because I wanted

to be punished for losing Darren?”

Katherine allowed herself only the briefest moment of satisfaction. This

was exactly what she'd been hoping for. ”I think that's part of it.

You've said before that Drew reminded you of Brian. You've blamed

yourself for Darren's death, and in a child's mind, punishment follows

guilt.”

”I didn't know Drew was violent when I married him.”

”No. You were attracted to what you saw on the surface. A beaut.i.til