rd pe

e door, the sound of his

l laugh bubbled up from her chest, the awkwa

h a stranger and told

ew

y to star

e'd never se

*************

ving room, her fingers tapping nerv

up, reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. "I understand y

et again, spilling over and t

shouted. "That I just let them be? T

t heaved in pain, her croaked and hoarse

oice gentle as he pulled her

again. "This new face, this new body...

r gently. "Isn't this a chance to escape your toxic fa

s flickering with a mixture

ips curling into a self-deprecating smile. "No

nceded. "Still, going bac

he cut him off. "I've g

uld have expected her li

to her before, those four months had been differen

even suggested the ship cruise

ar why he ac

baby, my family... That old Ashley is dead." She furiou

ith medical proof and pictures to prove to her parents t

ght that her parents we

hardening. "No matter what it take

ng she had right now, and sh

es fierce, and he knew that arguing was futile. "If th

g. "Thank you for everything, Matt. I truly owe you

rag you into. It's dangerous,

ered, worry etched on his face. "Is

g up in her eyes again. "My mind's already made

on her face, waiting

p of tea and brought it to her lips, inhaling

em and her head felt a bit c

identity to infiltrate their lives." Her dangerously cal

way. At least for the pas

t of a new name?" Matt stutter

ied firmly. "Va

e'd already told Adam a

you want to make them pay, then I have y

you, Matt," she whispered, a spark of

lint in his eyes, as he bowed dramati

get started with arrangin

ale

d today I was standing in front

am the last time I was here, because th

pushed open the imposing gla

iately headed to the

ng," I gree

see you again," she

rmation the last time, and the bos

sked about me?

face. "I'm sorry for the t

no

he picked up the phone

here," she said

before she conti

he dropped

go in now. The office is the last on

n unnoticeable sarcas

here the office is

as directed into Adam's

already hired

e length of the room, sat Adam. His face, etched with th

ven changed

red the

me. "Take a seat, my dear," he said,

out dropping your contact inf

dering an insincere apol

nd on my cleavage briefly, and he licked his