Thunk!


    Rachel Pearce''s phone slipped from her hand and ttered to the floor.


    There was only one thought screaming in her mind-It''s over.


    Completely over.


    She''d been exposed.


    Panic surged through her as she scrambled to pick up the phone. "Haynie, please, listen to me! I never meant to deceive you! I—I just loved you so much... Please, don''t be angry with me, okay?"


    "Loved me?" Haynes O''Brien cut her off sharply, his voice dripping with contempt. "You destroyed my marriage, kidnapped my son, and tried to kill my wife—all in the name of love? If that''s how you love, Rachel, then it''s nothing short of terrifying."


    "No, it''s not like that... Haynie, please, just hear me out—"


    But Haynes had run out of patience.


    "Everything you stole from Ste Cameron, you''ll return. As for organizing the kidnapping and trying to run someone down with your car, I''ll be calling the police. Whether Ste forgives you or not-that''s her business."


    "Haynie!" Rachel tried to protest, but the line went dead with a cold click.


    She tried calling back, but only got his voicemail.


    Rachel was frantic, pacing the room like a caged animal.


    Now that Haynes knew the truth, he''d never help her again. He wouldn''t be


    pulling her name off those trending scandals, either.


    What was she supposed to do now?


    Her mind spun with panic.


    Just then, her phone rang. Jasper Wilkinson''s name lit up the screen.


    Was he calling to use her too?


    Rachel hesitated for a few seconds, then answered.


    "Jasper..."


    There was shock in Jasper''s voice when he spoke. "Rachel, you''re not sick?"


    Everything had happened so fast, Rachel hadn''t evene up with an excuse. "Jasper, I—"


    Before she could say more, Jasper


    cut her off his voice suddenly b


    with relief. "Rachel, you''re not eight


    terminally ill? That''s incredible!"


    Rachel was stunned. She''d expected him to be angry at her for lying, but instead, Jasper sounded genuinely happy.


    Of course someone who truly cared about her would be relieved, not angry, to learn she wasn''t dying.


    Jasper continued, "Why didn''t you tell me sooner? I''ve been worried sick about you for so long. But,


    that''s all that matters. Hanget honestly, as long as you''re ong, ne


    going to call Haynie and tell him the good news."


    "Jasper, wait—no need to call him. Haynie... Haynie already knows."


    Jasper paused, sounding surprised. "Oh, he knows? So? Was he thrilled too?"


    Rachel''s voice was heavy with


    sorrow. "No. He wasn''t happy at all.


    In fact, he''s furious that I lied to him.


    He''s taking everything


    back everything he ever gave me and he wants to see me in jait."


    She had barely finished speaking when the doorbell rang.


    "Someone''s at the door," Rachel said quickly. "We''ll talkter."


    She ended the call and went to answer the door.


    Benson was waiting outside, nked by a group of men.


    He gave Rachel a polite smile. “Ms. Pearce, I''m here on behalf of Mr. O''Brien to reim the house and your studio."


    ncing at his watch, Benson continued, "You have thirty minutes to pack your things. After that, the movers will clear out the rest."


    Rachel froze. "But this house-Haynie gave it to me!"


    Benson''s expression remained respectful, but there was no room for negotiation.