Tallie O'Shea

AS A CHILD
Left with near strangers while her mom worked two or three jobs.

AN ABUSIVE MARRIAGE
Marrying far too young, only to discover a man's cruelty she didn't know could exist. Narrowly escaping, then landing in another disastrous situation from which she had run.

RISKING HER LIFE TO HAVE A BABY
Painful memories ripped at her heart, as jagged as the physical pain that had ravaged her body as she endured miscarriage after miscarriage before the doctor declared she was putting her own life at risk. Time and again, she had seen the disappointment in Pierce's eyes because she couldn't give him the one thing he wanted most--an heir to the Stratford fortune. And his mother made sure Tallie realized her failure. He'll never really love you. You're not our kind. He can have any woman he wants. Why would he want the likes of you?

TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN
Beaten down under the constant harangue and sense of failure, Tallie finally took the money Portia Stratford offered and snuck away. She left without even saying good-bye.

IS SHE BEING WATCHED?
And lately, she felt like she was being watched. Was it her imagination triggering the fear? Or had her latest stopping place been discovered?