Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

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.

chilling. "I need you to

the city's winter snow,

over the horizon, and the morning

Delaney was up at six for his morning run. By the time he jogged back to Skybreeze Retreat at seven, Briony was just

of makeup today, looking

in a good

"Well, it's not every day you get to finalize your divorce. I'm feeling

what I like to hear!” James grinned, bounding up the stairs. “Let me grab a quick shower, and then I'll

no need.

for a husband. As family, I need to be there for such

at that, her mood lifting

quick shower and a change of

Gina brought breakfast to the table. Once they'd eaten, the two headed out

Range Rover made its

light turned red and James eased onto the

That's when it happened.

suddenly barreled in from the right, heading straight for Briony's

spotted it in time, wrenching

CRASH!