Forrest only mentioned it in passing and didn''t tease her further. He grew serious. "I know you and Lysander have filed for divorce. Are you nning to wait out the thirty-day grace period, or do you want me to help you leave the country in secret? I''ve already talked to the Federal Security Bureau. We can go whenever you''re ready."
"If you help me leave, won''t that..."
"It won''t."
He saw right through her worries and cut her off. "Lysander and I have been enemies for a long time. With or without you, we''d never let each other off the hook. Right now, we''re at a standoff-neither of us can make a move. Don''t worry about me. Just do what feels right for you."
Relieved, M finally shared her thoughts, curious to hear Forrest''s opinion.
"It''s worth waiting, but..." Forrest paused to think. "Knowing Lysander, there''s a good chance he''ll change his mind. He won''t sit still for these thirty days-he''ll definitely try something."
"So should I give up this chance?"
"No," Forrest replied, a small smile on his lips. "Why should you be the one to keep backing down?"
He leaned forward, his tone encouraging. "I have a suggestion. You know the nature of my work-my ce is under constant surveince and protection. If you stay at your own house in Willow Lane, you''ll be safe. For your day-to-day errands, you can coordinate with Vance; someone will always be with you. You''ll be fine."
"So, you mean...?"
"We''ll just see what he tries to do."
A chilly glint shed in Forrest''s eyes. "Lysander''s never been one for ying fair. He''s ruthless, unpredictable. But if we can catch him in the act, even if we can''t put him behind bars, we can at least make things difficult for him. Let him taste a bit of suffering."
He shifted, sunlight gleaming cold off his silver-framed sses. "Mimi, do you really believe that a divorce will end things between you and Lysander? Given how obsessive he is, he won''t let you go-not unless you hurt him so badly he has no choice."
"I tried," M said with a sigh. "Nearly stabbed him in the heart, but it only made him crazier. It didn''t help at all."
She couldn''t help but wonder-doesn''t Lysander feel pain? Maybe that''s just how madmen are.
Forrest lowered his gaze, his sses reflecting the light and hiding his expression. His voice was as calm as ever. "All right, let''s wait a few days and see what happens. Move back to Willow Lane, and we''ll be neighbors again. If Lysander is going to change his mind, it''ll happen soon. And if he does, I''ll get you out of the country right away, don''t worry."
It sounded like a good n, but M was still uneasy. "Can I hire a few more bodyguards? It won''t interfere with your security, will it?"
She wanted the house surrounded-maximum peace of mind.
Forrestughed. "Of course not. Go ahead."
Having finally made a decision and put the past behind her, M felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Her smile was brighter than it had been in days.
When Miranda woke up, she found M humming cheerfully while busy in the kitchen. Curiosity got the better of her. "You look awfully happy-did you win the lottery?"
"Forrest came by. We finally talked things through."
"Seriously?" Miranda''s eyes widened. "When did that happen?"
"This morning. You were still upstairs asleep. He dropped by, and we had a long talk-cleared the air about everything."
"Wow, that''s proactive." Miranda joined her in the kitchen, yfully bumping M as she stirred a pan on the stove. She waggled her eyebrows. "So, spill-does he still have feelings for you? And what about you, huh?"
"Careful! You''ll knock the pot over," Mughed, nudging her back. She grabbed a piece of beef from the finished dish and popped it into Miranda''s mouth.
"Stop teasing. I''m really not thinking about that right now."
"You''re not still hung up on being technically married, are you?" Miranda managed to talk around her mouthful. "Lysander''s already parading around town with Giselle, thepany''s out of your hands, and Giselle''s even raising your kid. What''s left to worry about? If you''ve got a shot at happiness, you should take it! Forrest seems perfect-handsome, smart, and totally devoted to you..."
Before Miranda could rattle on, M stuffed a pastry into her mouth to shut her up.
After lunch, the soft spring sun warmed the world. Even the breeze felt gentle.
That afternoon, the two women lounged on the rooftop, soaking up the sun and chattingzily.
"So, when are you moving back to Willow Lane? I''m free these days I could stay with you, and we can leave together when it''s time."
"Tonight, I think." M considered. "I''m having dinner with Adrian, then heading to Willow Lane afterwards."
"The Montgomery family is such a headache," Miranda grumbled, shielding her eyes with a book. "Want me toe with you?"
"No need—I''ve already hired some bodyguards."
"Smart move." Miranda grinned, picturing M and her son eating dinner with a small entourage. “I wish I could see that—bet it''ll be quite the scene."