elt strangely empty, devoid of the faint hum of Elodie's presence that had become a familiar

thes strewn across the floor. A single suitcase lay abandoned by the bed, its empt

he seven-figure sum making his jaw drop. A million

large, expressive eyes, she'd been hired as his private nurse after the car crash that had near

of money to become his wife. Dashiell had overheard the conversation, shock and anger mixing with a bitte

spair and a misplaced sense of obligation. But from the moment

erapy, all the while keeping a respectful distance. He couldn't deny that she was an excellent

ditched the wheelchair, the feeling of independence intoxicating. Then, like

he got, their stolen moments filled with laughter and a shared history. He knew it was time

audacity of it stung, a challenge to his fragile sense of control. An

t for money, why had she agreed to this strange arrangement in the fi

t time, he saw Elodie not as a ghost in his home, but as a woman with her own desires, he

He needed answers, not just for her, but for himself. He needed to know the woman he had shared a year of

rawing room. 'Alfred, where is Elodie?' he de

confusion. 'Mrs Kellan, sir? She lef

lenched. 'Left?

ad. 'I don't know,

immered. 'Call her

ialled the number. They both listened intently as it rang, the si

lodie's voice, but a man's, g

ne from Alfred's hand. '

ed. 'I found this phone in the

ne he had given Elodie, the one that was supposed to te

*

on the sun-drenched tarmac 450 miles away, the whirring of the engines fading into a gentle hum. As t

his face. He swept her into a hug, his warmth a welcome

he exclaimed, his eyes twi

ng to her eyes. 'I'm done with games, Gabe. Done

. He ushered her towards a sleek black limousine,

he announced, slipping in

thought we were going to

er you've see

s smile