Zoe wasn't naive; the implication of his words was clear.

Barrett gazed at her, confident that Zoe wouldn't dare risk her brother's ashes to defy him.

When he spoke again, there was a hint of mockery in his tone: "Shed your coat and come before me. I won't repeat myself. Do you have any other choice?"

Whether it was the Zoe who deeply loved him a year ago or the Zoe who now feared and resented him, neither had the confidence to utter a word of dissent in his presence.

Zoe met his gaze calmly, then spoke: "What if I refuse?"

Barrett moved the box of ashes closer to the...