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.

child was safe,

realization sent a surge of hope and adrenaline through her veins, almost burning

Watts turned to leave, Elodie quickly slipped away, making her way back to her room. Her mind raced, searching for any and every possible escape

Watts to get

still had

minutes

and Watts strode in, his composure restored. "Change of

offer any

Once she made her call home from

not the slightest hint that anything was amiss, acting as if she was completely in the

nodded calmly and stood, slipping her phone

parked on the wide, manicured lawn nearby.

approached slowly

her wrist and started

anger, and she tried to wrench free. But he was

and ready for anything; Elodie's face was set in an icy mask as they crossed the

helicopter, Watts finally released her. "It's safe," he

voice was cool. "You first. Give me a

question it he nodded and turned to mount

long shard of glass, one end wrapped in a towel, from behind her back. Without

Watts' shirt

his balance from the

That was her chance.

toward the car they'd arrived in-she knew the

if she could just