The Past She Carries

<p><strong>Belle Desjardins has escaped the chains of her past-but not its shadow.</strong></p><p>After years of unspeakable suffering as a slave on the island of Saint-Martin she has finally begun a new chapter of her life. A life she fought to claim. A life she is desperate to protect. But even in freedom the past lingers-creeping into her dreams pulling at her heart whispering that peace may only be an illusion.</p><p></p><p>Now far from the island that once caged her Belle wears her independence like armor. She works hard speaks little and trusts no one-especially not men. Men have only ever brought her pain betrayal and fear. Her heart is locked behind steel and she has every intention of keeping it that way.</p><p></p><p>Until she meets Peter Denham.</p><p></p><p>He's young. Kind. Unexpected. The type of man who listens before he speaks and sees past her silence. Peter isn't like the others-at least not at first. With every gentle word and disarming smile he chips away at the walls Belle has built around her soul. Against all odds she begins to believe that maybe-just maybe-love is not a lie.</p><p></p><p><strong>But Belle carries more than emotional scars. She holds a secret. A dangerous one.</strong></p><p><strong>A secret that could cost them everything.</strong></p><p></p><p>As feelings bloom and tensions rise Belle must make a choice: confront the horrors that still chase her or risk dragging Peter into the very darkness she fled.</p><p></p><p>This is a gripping story of survival healing and forbidden love-a tale that dares to ask whether the heart can truly be free if the past is still chasing you.</p><p></p><p><em>Buy the book today and step into a world of courage danger and a love that refuses to be silenced.</em></p>