How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

He found it preposterous.

Especially at a time like this.

The child was the key.

What struck him most was Jarrod's tense attitude when they discussed the kid. Jarrod had looked ready to kill him-clearly, the child had to be—

Suddenly, Watts' expression shifted.

A belated realization dawned on him.

Jarrod... had he been faking it all along?

Playing a part?

A jolt of clarity shot through Watts. Jarrod was stalling for time-he must have already known Watts was somewhere in the city.

It all fell into place.

Watts' face darkened, thunderous and grim.

So, when his men reported that Jarrod had already boarded a plane out of the country, it was probably just a smokescreen too.

Watts abruptly hung up, spun on his heel, and dialed another number. "Prep the jet, now. We're leaving immediately!"

Not far away, hidden behind a leafy planter, Elodie had overheard every word.

Her heart pounded faster.

The child wasn't here.

Watts hadn't found him.

meant-the child was safe, out of Watts'

realization sent a surge of hope and adrenaline through

making her way back to her

would take time for Watts to get the

still had a

minutes ticked

open, and Watts strode in, his composure restored. "Change of plans," he announced flatly. "We're leaving today. Come

didn't offer

the truth. Once she made

betrayed not the slightest hint that anything was amiss, acting as if

and stood, slipping her phone silently into her

saw a helicopter parked on the wide, manicured lawn nearby. The whirling

slowly

glanced at her, then seized her wrist and started striding toward the

tried to wrench free. But he was far too

ready for anything; Elodie's face was set in an icy mask

helicopter, Watts finally released her. "It's safe," he said. "Go on, climb

first. Give me

it he nodded

out a long shard of glass, one end wrapped

soaked through Watts' shirt in a spreading

nearly losing his

That was her chance.

arrived

she could just make