"Don't! Mrs. Haleworth! Please, have mercy! Spare us!"
Ava scrambled up from the floor and staggered after us.
Her legs buckled so hard she nearly crumpled back to her knees, sobs tearing raw and ragged from her throat.
"It's all my fault! I threw myself at him, I begged him for help! He just made one stupid mistake! His heart will always be with you and your kids, I swear!"
She twisted around and shrieked at Sebastian, shrill and frantic, "Sebastian! Tell her you're sorry! Swear you'll never see us again! Say it!"
Every eye in the ballroom snapped to him. His face cycled between ashen white and furious red, cold sweat beading across his forehead.
Finally, his knees gave out. He dropped down in front of Mom, his voice rough and ground down like sandpaper over stone.
"Clara, I was ou
