Chapter 15
Sarah went rigid.
“Nobody knew about Paris,” my voice was barely above a whisper. “Only the airline booking site had that information – the same one you accessed as CFO while gathering shareholder data.”
My hands started shaking. “You were part of this from the beginning, weren’t you? You helped him take me?”
“Emma, please… I knew he’d never hurt you. With my family’s situation…”
“And what about Claire?” Each word felt like glass in my throat. “Did you know about her too?”
The color drained from her face.
A harsh laugh escaped me. “How stupid was I? Of course he’d only trust the CFO position to someone completely loyal. I never really knew you at all, did I?”
She squeezed her eyes shut. “I’m sorry. My son’s therapy costs… I couldn’t lose this job.”
I stared across the snow–covered valley. “One word from me and you’re not just fired – I’ll press charges about the data breach. No company in the state would hire you after that.”
Sarah started trembling.
“Tomorrow at noon, you’re picking me up. It’s your only shot at redemption.”
Nathan appeared behind us, eyes probing. “Why so serious, ladies?”
I forced a sad smile, hugging a pale–faced Sarah. “Just talking about the challenges of raising a special needs child.”
The next day, as snow started falling, I watched the winding road from my window like a hawk.
Finally, a white sedan appeared through the flurries.
I grabbed my coat and headed down.
The housekeeper called after me. I kept walking.
In Sarah’s car, I finally let myself breathe.
“He was asking questions this morning,” she warned. “About our conversation. He might follow.”
“We need to get down before the ice hits.”
Too late. The car skidded on black ice, slamming into the mountainside. Dead engine.
As we tried to restart it, Nathan’s car came roaring around the bend.
06:49 O
Seven Years of Love, Seven Minutes
61100
Chapter 15
He stormed out, rage radiating as he approached.
I backed toward the cliff edge.
Fear cracked his perfect mask. He froze several yards away.
“Step back from there. Now.”
I stood my ground, watching him.
“Emma, don’t you dare!” Raw panic in his voice.
I glanced over my shoulder at the drop, then met his eyes.
“Did you ever really love me, Nathan?”
I stepped backward into empty air.
In a flash, he lunged, catching me, taking the full impact as we tumbled down the slope.
His leg hit rock with a sickening crack. He couldn’t move.
I stood slowly, looking down at him.
“Emma.” His hand reached up, trembling. “Please come home.”
Above us, Sarah was screaming. A car screeched to a stop – Claire jumping out, staring at the scene in horror.
I closed my eyes, then started climbing up.
“EMMA!”
His scream tore through the mountain air.
Sarah and I took Nathan’s car, racing down the icy road while Claire called for help.
After miles of silence, Sarah whispered:
“You knew he’d save you, didn’t you?”
I pressed my lips together, tears streaming down my face.
06.49
