It was then he noticed a pronounced crease between her brows, temples slick with perspiration. Her soft sleep whispers suggested a troubled dream.

Suddenly, it seemed as though her nightmare took a terrifying turn. Her breaths quickened, became shallow. Sabrina's hands tightened their grip on the sheet as her body went rigid with tremors. Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead as she murmured in her sleep.

Tyrone bent closer, catching her faint voice. "No, no. No. I didn't..."

A tear seeped from the corner of her closed eye, tracing a path down her cheek, soaking the pillow, accentuating her plea.

A pang of pain pierced Tyrone's heart, his Adam's apple bobbing in response. He raised his hand, gently patting her back, wiping her sweat-coated forehead. His voice was a soft whisper. "Sleep. I'm here. I'LL protect you. No one who's caused you pain will get away."

“Dad, I miss you so much. Can you take me home?"

She was dreaming of her father once again.

In this dream, she was once again a child, perched atop her father's shoulders. His embrace was warm and safe.

In her dream, she found herself riding a scooter with her father, who kindly handed her the only raincoat they had.

She dreamt of the celebratory meals he would cook when she scored high in her tests.

Home was what she yearned for.

She longed to return to the place where she and her father once lived.

She didn't wish to be a member of the Blakely family.

She wanted to be Connor's daughter and only his.

“Okay, I'LL take you home when you wake up." Tyrone didn't want to disturb her sleep.

Perhaps his comforting words soothed her, for she slowly began to relax into a deeper sleep.

Looking at her serene face, Tyrone was lost in his thoughts.

She was not as strong as she portrayed.

She, too, cried in her dreams, in her nightmares.

Bradley was correct. She didn't deserve this pain.