“He never touched me,” she finally sobs. “Jake. He never touched me, I swear it. I wouldn’t let him. By the time his wounds were healed I was four months pregnant. He came for me, and I pulled a gun on him.”

Her eyes grow furious as memories flood back to the present and I have to tell myself to remain calm. His threat to us died the day I pulled a knife across his neck. He can’t hurt her or us anymore.

“I was prepared that time,” she continues. “He took one look at my stomach and told me he’d gut me.”

My hands grip her harder and I see her flinch in pain. But she doesn’t tell me to stop, doesn’t flinch away. With the hatred I feel inside, I couldn’t loosen my grip even if I tried.

“He told me he’d rip your child from me with his bare hands, then force me to watch as he ripped its life away. Then take mine slowly, making me suffer. I dared him to try. He fought me. Forced my hands down low, trying to get me to drop the gun. It went off, shooting him straight through his crotch.”

I smile with vengeance for a penance well served, at the hands of my Wendy.

“It bought me more time, but not enough,” she shakes her head and sighs. “The twins were born at seven months. I told him if he came for them, if he came for me, this time I wouldn’t miss. I’d shoot him through his heart, then finish him off with a bullet through his head.”

“Why didn’t you send for me? Why didn’t you try…”

“You always came for me Peter, I didn’t know how.”

For the millionth time in my life, I kick myself for not attempting to go to her after that day I saw her walk from her house with her mother. With Jake. With whom I eventually realized are my daughters. It’s a thought that has mangled my black heart and tempted Hook to grow more throughout the years.

“He eventually made me a promise.” She takes a deep breath and levels me with a serious stare. “He’d leave us alone, wouldn’t lay a finger on me or my girls, our girls, if I never returned to Neverland.”

My hand raises and caresses the side of her cheek. I smile when I notice her shiver. “You protected what mattered most. A job that should’ve been mine, Darling.”

“He told me he’d kill you.”