The year my new life began." "Why did you come there?" "I fell in love with Sean O'Malley completely by accident. He came to New Orleans to do business with my father and we were immediately attracted to each other. She helped me escape from my horrible husband, François Dumas." "Why did you have to escape?" "My husband likes to torture those who defy him and it is in my nature to give in if it is against my values." Why did you marry this man if he is so vile?” "My father arranged my marriage to Francois, who was his gambling partner. I recently discovered the real reason for my forced marriage.” “And what was it?” “I was a puppet used to repay my father's gambling debts. I use the word father incorrectly. The scene played out like a movie just like Doctor Bernard said. Patrick, close to her breast as her father walked through the door. Looking at his angry face made her heart sink and fear rise to the surface. She ran back to the nursery to put Patrick in his crib and returned to face her father have you come here, father? She asked defiantly, but with a tremor