up to an empt

ough her mind in a disjointed sequence: the anger, the confr

o see some sign of Fred, bu

pristine envelope sat with h

t with a sin

,000 and a short note from

ver her. Did he really think h

fist, the sting of his careless

aring her clothes, she stormed out of the room, gripping th

piercing gaze of Chantel, who stood by the

an of the hour," Chantel sneered

well enough for

her anger flar

crumpled check at her feet. "Here, you can

cheque aside. "So full of pride, aren't you?"

ial? Fred will move on, and you'l

n't need your approval, Chantel. Wha

hantel's lips curve

and. And poor Jason-having to deal with all t

is his mom? How long before he sta

ide her. "Leave Jason out of this. He's my so

you're tired of the cries, the cut between the intim

gaze s

u. If you want me and Jason out

*

r work, her phone buzzed with a text message. It was from

et my number?

om Chantel. "Jason is with me. If you don't come to my office

couldn't risk Jason's safety. Without another thought, she grabbed he

e noticed a sleek black car pull

e fixed on her. She tried to pull away, but he

o talk. Now," he sa

s, Fred," she snapped, try

o get to

ead. "This is im

he opened her door and ges

t him, but there was no way around. With a frus

u want?" sh

, his gaze intense, almost searching

ed. "That doesn't mean I wanted it. And it definite

dn't reach his eyes. "Come on, Bethany. You enj

r voice steady. "You're wasting m

here," he interrupted,

ntil w

with surprising strength. Her heart hammered in her chest

uggling against him. But he only tight

go," he said quietly, his vo

like it or not. And it's

e seriousness in his tone. He wasn't just here to talk.

oward his vehicle. "We're going somewhere t

ut he was stronger, his determination unyielding. She tried to scream, but he clam

Bethany," he murmured, h

nd we're going to settle

rted the car, his gaze fixed on the road as h

he tried to think of a way out. But there was n

nk rationally. She had to keep her wits about he

teady. "This is insane. Whatever you thi

letting you go, Bethany. Not until you un

t after a relationship-he wanted power, control over her life,

what felt like hours, the

a way to escape, but every option seemed im

spot on the outskirts of town, a q

to her, his gaze intense, his

ietly, his voice soft

e could be good together-you k

never be with you, Fred. We divorced year

Fine. But you're not leaving, either. I'll keep y

ded, her fear mingli

way. She wasn't going to let him

make a move, someone knocke

er before letting go of her