"Don't say that!" Rhys pulled her tighter against his chest. "I will never leave you. Not in this lifetime."
He shot Joan a venomous look. "As long as I'm breathing, no one is going to force you away."
Joan let out a cold, humorless laugh.
"She's the one who appeared out of nowhere, saying she wanted to talk. Led me to the lake, threw herself in, and dragged me down with her."
Her lip curled. "Oh, and let's not forget what she said: 'Mr. Gilbert's heart has always belonged to me. Even if you marry him, you'll be nothing but a widow with a living husband.'"
"Enough!" Rhys cut her off, shielding Janet like she might shatter. "Joan, if you're going to lie, at least make it believable. Janet is the most timid person I know—she would never jump into a lake on her own!"
"And she's too innocent to say something like that."
He looked down at the trembling woman in his arms, his voice softening. "Don't be scared, Janet. No one is going to slander you."
Then he turned back to Joan, disgust written across his face.
"You vicious woman. Don't think you can drive a wedge between us."
I stood a few paces away, watching the scene unfold.
Rhys only ever believed what he wanted to believe.
I stepped forward.