I don’t know what I had expected, but the sight of that coiled red whip filled me with revulsion and I instinctively jerked back, digging my heels in.

“You can’t!” my mother cried. “She’s pregnant!”

“God’s wrath plays no favorites,” Rose said. But I could hear fear in her voice as well.

Tanner and Marshall pushed me forward. They yanked my arms up to meet one of the hanging ropes and began tying my wrists to it. Pain ran down my arms, but I could hardly feel it through my panic.

My mother was beside herself. “Please, you can’t! The baby . . .”

“Gag her!”

I could hear my mother thrashing. “Please, you can’t do this to her!” She issued a muffled cry, then broke free for a moment. “Wait, please,” she cried. “Let me take her punishment!”

I jerked my head around. “No, Mother . . .”

“Let me take her punishment! I’m responsible. I’m her mother. I should have known. If I’d done my duty, she never would have gone to the boy!”

Rose held up her hand. “You believe taking your daughter’s punishment will cleanse her? She has to be held accountable for her own sin.”

“The memory of my pain will be punishment enough for her,” my mother begged. “Please, show her mercy and let me take her place. It’s the Christian way.”

“Mother, no, stop this!” I cried out, but now I was the one being ignored.

“Taking Grace’s punishment will not excuse you from your own,” Rose said.

“I will endure both hers and mine,” my mother said.

“No, I will take my own punishment,” I cried.

“One more word from you and I’ll have you both whipped to death!” Rose screamed at me.

This wasn’t the Rose I knew. She was as terrified as she was enraged.

She turned back to my mother. “You understand what you’re asking?” she clarified. “Forty lashes might kill you.”

“Yes,” my mother said. “But Grace is with child!”

The moment she spoke those words, I was afraid that Rose would agree. She treasured the unborn and would protect them if there was a way.

Dear God. I was the only guilty party here, and now my mother, who would never harm a fly, was going to pay for my mistakes. This couldn’t be happening!

“So be it,” Rose barked.

Tanner quickly untied my wrists. He and Marshall spun me back around as two others dragged my mother forward.

“Mother . . .”

“Shh, shh. It’s okay, sweetheart.” Tears slipped down her cheeks. “This is for the best.”

I just stared at her for a moment, unable to accept her sacrifice for me. I would rather be dead than watch her suffer for my sin. She couldn’t possibly be thinking clearly.