The pressure on her throat increased the more confident he became. Maybe it was the bold way she stared into his hurting eyes that gave him the added incentive he needed to fulfill the odious task. She wasn't sure. Didn't matter. He wasn't going to release her and she was oddly okay with that. Life had become a little too difficult for her lately. Having an escape that she didn't have to provide herself wasn't the worst option. It hurt, but it would all be over soon. She hoped that Antonin would be able to get Oliver out of their horrible country and take him somewhere they could both be happy. Brazil, maybe. Or to Africa with Alain. Oliver could learn a lot from Mr. Akingbade at Uagadou. He'd love it there and eventually, he'd forget to be sad about the horrible mother he'd been cursed with. And maybe Antonin could finally fall in love with a woman who loved him back. She'd been so cruel to him. He didn't deserve all of it.