Every word Brendan uttered made Deirdre's heart wrench in immense pain.

Brendan appeared to be caught in the trap and understood it better than anyone else.

"But…" Deirdre breathed heavily. "We may still have a chance to go back to the old days if we maintain the current standard. But if we try and end up as what the man described… I won't even have a way to get you back…"

She said truthfully, "Brendan, I'm very scared. I'm scared that I'll become the person who puts you in a tight spot."