It took a long moment before the call finally connected.

"Lauren?"

Hearing the gruff male voice on the other end, Lauren's breath caught in her throat.

Her grip on the phone tightened.

The man couldn't hear her, his tone growing anxious. “Lauren, I know it's you. Did you call because you're in trouble? Whatever it is, just say the word—I'll help you, no matter what."

A flash of memory cut through her mind—a thunderstorm, that terrible night.

Malcolm falling from the second floor-

Her breathing turned ragged, her voice trembling. "I... I need you to help me with something else. When it's done, I'll pay you again."

"Lauren, there's no need to talk about money between us."

"Money is all I have left to give you," Lauren said through clenched teeth, fighting to keep her frustration in check. "Neal, I wouldn't come to you unless I had no other choice. Please don't make this harder than it already is."

On the other end, Neal fell silent for a moment. At last, he gave a heavy, resigned sigh. “Alright. Whatever you say. Just tell me what do you need me to do?"

A sudden crash of thunder split the sky outside. For a brief instant, lightning illuminated Lauren's perfectly maintained face through the glass.

with a fierce resolve, her voice low and chilling. "I need you to help me kill

city's winter snow, breathing hints of spring into

the horizon, and the morning forecast promised

for his morning run. By the time he jogged

on a touch of makeup today,

his eyebrows. “Someone's in a good

it's not every day you get to finalize

up the stairs. “Let me grab a

no need. I

rid of that sorry excuse for a husband. As family, I need to be there for

but smile at that, her mood lifting even

a change of clothes, James rejoined

the table. Once they'd eaten, the two headed out

Range Rover made

the light turned red and James eased onto the

That's when it happened.

truck suddenly barreled in from the right, heading straight

in time, wrenching the steering wheel

CRASH!

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