The Baby You Took, The Wife You Lost

I woke up on an abortion bed with my wrists strapped down and the doctor was already preparing the instruments. “Abort the baby now,” my husband, Colter Vancourth, ordered. “What? No!” I cried, struggling against the restraints. “Colter! What are you doing? I'm six months pregnant! Let me go!” He didn't even look at me. “She’s pregnant too.” My struggling stopped. “What?” “Helena is one month pregnant with my child.” My heart sank. “What does that have to do with my baby?” “She wants her child to be my only heir. She told me she won't forgive me if I let your baby live. She wants her child to have everything.” Tears rolled down my cheeks. “So you're choosing your mistress one-month-old baby over our six-month-old baby?! How could you!” Colter's face stayed cold. “Yes.” I shook my head. “No, please. That's your child too!” “We can make another one.” My voice broke. “This is our baby, Colter!” “Helena comes first.” My stomach turned. “You're insane!” He looked at the doctor. “Start.” “NO!” I screamed and fought against the restraints. “Colter, please! Don't do this!” But he didn't move. The doctor stepped closer, and everything went dark. ... When I woke up, my baby was gone. I couldn't even cry at first. I just stared at the ceiling, unable to process what had happened. My hands moved to my stomach, but there was nothing there anymore. Then the door opened. Colter walked in wearing his black suit. He was the Mafia Don of the Vancourt Blood Organization and the president of Vancourt International Holdings, but right then, he didn't look like my husband. He looked like the man everyone feared. He dropped a stack of papers on my blanket. “Sign the divorce papers. Helena's uncomfortable with us being married. I need her to calm down or she will abort my heir too.” I looked at the papers, then at him. “Two hundred million dollars. Cash. You'll have more than enough to live comfortably. Just sign it and we're done.” I didn't argue anymore. I picked up the pen and signed. My hand was shaking so badly that my signature barely looked like mine. Colter stared at me for a few seconds. He seemed almost annoyed that I agreed so easily. “Don't cause trouble after the divorce. And while everything is being settled, don't let me hear you're sleeping around. If I find out you are, you'll regret it.” He took the papers and walked out. Six years of marriage. Three years before that, I had been holding his hand and believing every promise he'd made about forever. Now I was alone in a hospital bed after losing our baby because his mistress was pregnant and upset. A few minutes later, I heard his voice outside. He was talking to the doctor. “When the anesthesia wears off, don't give her anything for the pain.” The doctor went quiet. My tears finally fell. I turned toward the wall and curled up on the bed. My hands moved to my stomach again. Empty. Our baby was gone. And Colter didn't even care. The nurse came in later to change my dressings. She stopped when she saw my face. “It's time, Donna.” “I'm not his Donna anymore.” She didn't say anything. She quietly changed my bandages while I stared at the ceiling. After a while, the pain got worse. “C-can I have something for the pain?” The nurse looked nervous. “I'm sorry. The Don told us not to give you anything.” I nodded. “Okay.” So I stayed there and endured it. My body hurt, but losing my baby hurt more. … During my stays in the hospital, Helena always came to see me. She had been visiting every day since I woke up, and every time she came, she wore something that belonged to me. That day, it was one of my dresses, my jewelry, and even the perfume I used to wear around Colter. She stood beside my hospital bed, looking completely comfortable. “I'm sorry, Faye,” she said with a small smile. “You have to suffer because of me. It's just that Colter doesn't love you.” Then she laughed softly, turned around, and walked out as if she'd just won something. I didn't say anything. What was the point? ... The next day, I was finally discharged. I thought Colter would come for me, but he didn't. While I was still waiting, my phone buzzed. It was a message from him. “You're not VIP. Go home now.” I stared at the screen for a few seconds. Then another message came. “You're still my wife, so you know where you belong.” I looked around the hospital room before putting my phone away. I left the hospital alone and returned to the Vancourt estate by myself. … At the top of the stairs, the butler stopped me. “Miss Faye, you can't go into the master bedroom anymore. Don Colter and Donna Helena used it now.” I looked at her. “And where am I supposed to sleep?” She pointed to a small room at the end of the hallway. “Your room is there.” I stared at the door for a moment before nodding. “Alright. I understand.” This house used to be mine too. I had chosen the curtains, picked the tiles, and spent hours choosing the roses for the garden. Now Helena had our bedroom, while I was being sent to a small room that smelled like bleach and old boxes. ... That night, I couldn't sleep. I kept staring at the ceiling and thinking about my baby. Then my phone suddenly buzzed. A message from Helena. I opened it and froze. She was lying beside Colter in our bed, smiling at the camera. She was wearing the necklace he once gave me, and beneath the photo was a message. “Don't worry, Faye. Your baby's stem cells are already being processed. Soon, they'll be part of my necklace. Thank you.” My fingers went cold. She knew exactly what she was doing, and she wanted me to know that she had won. ... The next morning, I went downstairs and found Helena in the living room. She was wearing one of my silk nightgowns and ordering the staff around as if she had lived there for years. “This chair is ugly. Get rid of it.” The butler hesitated. “Donna Helena, that was Miss Faye's wedding gift.” Helena rolled her eyes. “Everything in this house belongs to Colter now, so it belongs to me too.” Then she saw me, and her smile widened. “Oh, Faye. You're awake.” I didn't answer. Colter was sitting on the sofa, checking his phone. “Come eat,” he said without looking at me. I slowly walked toward the dining room, and Helena followed. She sat beside Colter and started feeding him fruit, acting like she owned the entire house. I sat across from them and quietly ate my breakfast, trying to ignore them. Then Helena suddenly laughed. “Faye, I heard you loved your baby so much.” My hand stopped. She smiled at me. “That must've hurt.” I looked down at my plate, but she leaned closer and continued. “Too bad I hated it. I told Colter to abort it, and he listened to me. You know, my baby comes first.” My chest tightened. She wasn't finished. “And don't worry. The stem cells are already being processed. I'm going to have them made into my necklace and wear it.” She touched the necklace around her neck and smiled. “Can you imagine? Your baby's stem cells around my neck. I'll wear it every day.” I couldn't eat anymore. I slowly put my spoon down and looked at her with so much hatred. Why was she enjoying this so much? “You're proud of that?” Helena laughed. “Of course. Colter chose me over you. He chose me over your baby too.” I looked at Colter, but he didn't stop her or defend me. He simply remained seated beside her as if none of her words mattered. Something inside me finally snapped. I looked back at Helena. “Helena, do you know why Colter never brings you to real dinners?” Her painted smile cracked. “Because he is embarrassed by you. Just like right now.” Before the last word even settled, Colter stood and his hand connected with my face. The world rang. His voice was low and lethal. “Enough!”

The slap made my head turn. My cheek burned, but I barely felt it. Not compared to the pain in my chest. This was the same man who used to hold me carefully, like I was someone precious to him. Now he could hit me without even blinking. “Faye, stop fucking acting like this. I know what you're trying to do.” My voice shook. “What am I trying to do?” He stared at me, and I couldn't stop myself from asking, “What? Am I supposed to crawl back to you after you forced me to abort our baby and gave its stem cells to Helena just because she's pregnant?” His jaw tightened. I wanted to say more, but I was too tired. I was done begging him to remember the man he used to be. “I’m not chasing you anymore, Colter.” He pulled Helena closer. “We're leaving.” Helena gave me a small smile before following him out, and when the door closed behind them, I stood there alone. Six years of marriage, and this was what was left. ... For the next three days, I barely left the small room they had given me. Every time I tried to walk outside the villa, Colter stopped me. “You're staying here during the cooling off period. Don't leave without my permission.” “I just want some air.” “You heard me, Faye. Stay inside.” I didn't argue anymore. There was no point. Then, on the third day, my phone rang. I answered it immediately. “Ms. Winslow?” a woman said. “This is New City Hospital. Your parents were shot by armed men. They're both in critical condition and undergoing emergency surgery. Their condition is fifty-fifty.” My whole body went cold. “My parents?” “Yes. They've been asking for you. They're both conscious on and off, and they keep calling your name. You need to come as soon as possible.” “I'll come.” I hung up and immediately ran downstairs, where I found Colter and Helena sitting together on the sofa. They looked comfortable, like nothing in the world could touch them. Colter looked up when he saw me. “Where are you going?” “My parents were shot.” His expression changed. “What?” “Some armed men shot them. They're in New City Hospital. They're in critical condition, and the doctors need me there!” Helena gave a small laugh. “That sounds convenient.” I looked at her. “What?” “After three days of staying quiet, suddenly your parents are shot?” I shook my head. “They're really hurt. The hospital called me. They said my parents keep asking for me.” Colter stood up. “Faye, don't start another game.” “I'm not lying!” I grabbed my phone and held it out to him. “Call the hospital. Please. The emergency department can confirm it. Just call them and ask.” He took my phone from my hand. “Enough.” My eyes filled with tears. “Colter, please. I'm not trying to escape. I just want to see my parents.” He stared at me as I stepped closer. “My mother was asking for me. My father too. They might die, and I wasn't even there.” My voice broke as I begged, “Please let me go.” Helena crossed her arms. “She can leave if you want her to.” I looked at her, but she only smiled. “But she should at least ask properly.” I knew what she meant, and my stomach twisted. I looked at Colter, but he said nothing. “Please,” I whispered. Helena tilted her head. “That isn't enough.” I swallowed hard. “Please, Helena. Let me go to the hospital.” She smiled. “Again.” I closed my eyes, wondering how much more humiliation I could take. Then I slowly lowered myself to my knees. “Please. I'm begging you. Let me see my parents.” Helena laughed softly. “Now that's better.” I couldn't look at Colter. I didn't want to see his face while I was kneeling in front of another woman just to see my dying parents. But then he spoke, his voice cold. “You're willing to kneel to her just to leave me?” I slowly looked up at him. “I don't care about leaving you.” My tears fell as I continued, “My parents are dying.” Colter's face hardened. “Then tell me the truth. Who are you really trying to run to?” “No one.” “Another man?” I shook my head. “There isn't anyone.” He stepped closer. “Then why are you so desperate to get out of my house?” “Because they're my parents!” My voice cracked. “I've already lost my baby because of you. Please don't make me lose them too!”

They had raised me and my brother, Jake. They worked hard to give us a decent life and sacrificed so much for us. The only thing I had ever done against them was choosing Colter, and that was the biggest mistake of my life. For a second, something changed in Colter's expression, but before I could say anything else, his phone rang. He answered with an irritated sigh. “What the hell is it now?” He listened in silence, and I watched his face slowly change. “Fine. I'm coming.” He ended the call and looked at Helena. “It's true. They were attacked.” Helena rolled her eyes. “Seriously? What a mood killer.” I grabbed my bag. “I'm going to the hospital.” Colter stood up. “I'm driving you.” “I can go myself.” “No.” His voice was firm. “You're coming with me, and don't argue.” I didn't have the energy to fight him, so I followed him outside. During the entire drive, I kept calling the hospital, but no one could tell me much. I just sat there, holding my phone tightly and praying that my parents were still alive. Please be alive. Please wait for me. When we arrived, I rushed inside. A nurse recognized me and immediately led me toward the emergency room. “Ms. Winslow? Emergency room is this way.” I followed her with my heart pounding until we reached a quiet area where two beds were covered with white sheets. I stopped walking. “No.” I moved closer, shaking my head. “Where are my parents?” The doctor removed his mask, and the look on his face told me everything before he even spoke. “I'm sorry. We did everything we could.” My knees gave out. “No. No, they're supposed to be alive.” The doctor lowered his voice. “They were badly injured when they were ambushed. They lost too much blood.” I grabbed his sleeve. “You're lying. They called me. They were asking for me.” He looked down. “They did.” My breathing stopped. “They kept saying your name. Your mother was asking for Faye, and your father kept telling us to find you.” I pulled back the sheet. “Mom…” Her face was pale. I touched her cheek, but there was no response. “Dad…” I reached for his hand. It was cold. “I'm sorry,” I whispered. “I'm sorry I wasn't here.” My tears wouldn't stop. I looked at the doctor and asked, “What were their last words?” He hesitated before answering. “They kept saying the same thing.” “What?” “Leave your husband.” Colter's face immediately hardened. “Don't put words in their mouths just because they're dead.” The doctor looked startled. “I am sorry Don, I was only telling her what they said.” “Shup up!” I looked at Colter and felt nothing. Even now, he was angry because my dying parents had told me to leave him. But I didn't argue with him. I didn't have anything left in me. My parents were dead. My baby was dead. And my marriage was already over. ... When we returned to the villa, I barely spoke. I went upstairs, entered the small room they had given me, and closed the door. I didn't cry anymore because I had already cried enough. What was the point? I had lost everything that mattered to me. Colter allowed me to attend my parents' funeral, but four of his men followed me the entire time. I stood in front of my parents' graves while the rain poured down around me. Jake wasn't there, and I didn't even know where my brother was. I knelt beside the graves and touched their names. “Mom. Dad. I'm sorry,” I whispered. “I'll be okay.” I knew I was lying. One of the guards checked his watch. “Miss Faye, we need to go.” I wiped my face. “Give me one more minute.” “We've already stayed longer than Don Colter ordered.” I looked at the graves one last time. “I'll come back.” Then I stood and followed them. After the funeral, things at the villa became even worse. Helena stopped treating me like a former wife and started treating me like a servant. She would call me whenever she wanted something, and Colter never stopped her. “Faye, bring me water.” I brought it. “Wash these clothes.” I washed them. “Take my shoes upstairs.” I carried them. Soon, even Helena's underwear and other personal laundry were being thrown at me. She expected me to wash everything by hand while she sat nearby and watched. If I wasn't fast enough, she would insult me, spit near my feet, or shove me aside. One afternoon, she deliberately stepped on my foot while I was carrying a basket of her clothes. The pain shot through me, but I refused to react. “Move faster,” she said. I picked up the clothes she had dropped and continued walking. Another time, she tossed a used condom into my face with a laugh and ordered me to throw it away. I stared at it for a moment before silently putting it in the trash. She seemed disappointed that I didn't react. “You really changed, Faye,” she said. I continued folding her clothes. She walked closer and looked down at me. “Your husband doesn't even look at you anymore.” I said nothing. She smiled. “Do you know what I like most? You don't even fight back now.” I slowly looked up at her. “I'm tired.” She laughed. “Good. Stay tired.” Then she deliberately spat near my face before walking away. I wiped my cheek and went back to folding her clothes. My parents were gone. My baby was gone. The man I loved had forced me to give up our child for his mistress, and now that same woman treated me like a slave inside my own home. … That night, someone suddenly started screaming outside my room. I opened the door and froze when I saw Helena standing in the hallway with blood covering her stomach and shoulder. For one second, she simply looked at me with a strange smile before suddenly screaming, “Help! Colter!” Before I could even react, she dropped the gun at my feet. My eyes immediately went to the weapon, but before I could say anything, Helena stumbled backward and fell against the wall, clutching her shoulder. “Faye shot me!” “What?” I stepped back in shock. “I didn't do anything!” Helena looked at me, and the smile disappeared from her face as she started crying loudly enough for the entire house to hear. “Please, Faye. Don't hurt me again.” My stomach dropped. She was doing this on purpose. She had planned everything. A moment later, I heard fast footsteps coming from the other side of the hallway. Colter appeared with several guards behind him, and the moment he saw Helena covered in blood, his face changed. “Helena!” He rushed toward her and caught her before she could fall again. “Who did this to you?” Helena pointed at me with a shaking hand. “Her.” Colter slowly turned toward me, and the look in his eyes made my heart sink. “Faye.”

I immediately shook my head. “No. I didn't shoot her. She was already here when I opened my door.” Helena cried harder. “She came after me! I tried to talk to her, but she grabbed the gun.” “You're lying!” I shouted. “You dropped that gun herself!” I pointed toward the floor. “Look at it. She threw it at my feet when I opened the door.” One of the guards picked up the gun, but Colter didn't even look at it. He kept his eyes on me as if he had already decided I was guilty. Helena reached for his shirt. “Colter, please don't leave me. I'm scared.” His arm immediately went around her. “You're safe now.” I couldn't believe what I was seeing. After everything Helena had done to me, he still believed her without question. She buried her face against his chest and continued crying. “She kept saying I ruined her life. She said she hated me for taking her baby away. So she wanted to kill our baby too!” Colter looked at me. “You really did this?” “No.” My voice broke. “I've already lost everything. Why would I shoot her?” His eyes narrowed. “Because you hate her.” “I hate what she did, but I didn't shoot her.” Helena suddenly cried out and clutched her shoulder. “It hurts!” Colter's face turned cold with anger. “Get the car. We're going to the hospital.” The guards immediately moved to carry out his order while I stood there, frozen. Then Colter looked at me. “You're coming with us.” My stomach sank. “Why?” “Because you're going to explain yourself.” “I've already told you the truth.” He stepped closer. “And I don't believe you.” I stared at him, realizing there was no trace of the man I had married in his eyes. The man who had once protected me was gone. All I saw now was the Mafia Don everyone feared, looking at me like I was his enemy. At the hospital, Helena was rushed into a private room, where the doctors immediately began treating the wounds on her shoulder. Colter pointed at the floor, where broken pieces of glass were scattered across the tiles. “You attacked Helena. You're going to stay on your fucking knees and think about what you've done.” I stared at the glass. My knees were already hurting from everything that had happened at the hospital, but I didn't argue. I knew better than to challenge him when his temper was like this. He stepped closer, his eyes cold. “And when Helena wakes up, you're going to apologize to her. For threatening her, for blaming her, and for every fucking thing you've done. Do I make myself clear?” “I didn't shoot her.” “I don't give a damn what you think happened. I don't want to hear another fucking excuse from you.” So I slowly lowered myself onto the floor. The broken glass cut into my knees immediately, and I clenched my teeth to keep from making a sound. Colter watched without flinching. “Stay there,” he ordered. “And don't move until I tell you to.” One minute passed, then another. The pain kept getting worse, but I stayed still. I wondered how much more he expected me to endure before there was nothing left of me. After a while, Helena finally woke up. “Colter…” He was beside her before she could say anything else, and the coldness in his face disappeared the moment he looked at her. “I'm here, sweetheart. Don't worry. You're safe.” I was still kneeling on the broken glass when Helena looked toward me. “Why is Faye on the floor?” “She needs to understand what she did.” Helena immediately shook her head. “Please don't punish her because of me. She's already been through enough.” I almost laughed. She really was good at this. Helena reached for Colter's hand, and he gently held it. “I only wanted to talk to her. I know she hates me because of the baby, and I understand why she's angry, but I never wanted to hurt her.” She wiped her tears and continued, “She blamed me for everything. She even threatened me, but I never touched her.” I looked at her. “You're unbelievable.” Helena blinked innocently. “What do you mean?” “You're the one who told Colter you wouldn't forgive him unless he got rid of my baby so you could give birth first.” My voice remained quiet. “You wanted his ring. You wanted my house. You wanted my place beside him, and you got all of it.” Colter's expression immediately hardened. “Faye, shut the fuck up.” I looked at him. “No. I'm done being quiet.” I slowly pushed myself up. The pieces of glass fell from my knees, and blood immediately ran down my legs. “I lost my baby because you chose her. My parents died after being attacked, and now you're punishing me because she decided to shoot herself and blame me.” Helena's eyes widened. “Colter, she's blaming me again.” I gave a bitter laugh. “Of course she is.” Colter stepped toward me, his face darkening. “Watch your fucking mouth, Faye. You're crossing the line.” I looked straight at him. “You crossed it first.” He went silent. “You destroyed our marriage for her. You forced me to lose our baby for her. And now you're letting her destroy whatever is left of me.” My voice shook, but I kept going. “You don't love me anymore, Colter. Maybe you haven't for a long time.” I wiped the tears from my face. “And I'm finally starting to accept that.” Nobody spoke for several seconds. Helena looked satisfied, while Colter's jaw remained tight. I turned away because I didn't want either of them to see me cry anymore. When I returned to the villa, I went straight to my room. Blood had already soaked through the gauze around my knees, and every step hurt, but I refused to complain. Colter followed me inside and placed a cup on the table. “Drink this. It's ginger. You always liked it when your knee hurt.” I looked at the cup but didn't touch it. “I need some air.” His expression darkened. “Faye, I know today was fucking bad, but I'm trying to help you.” “You don't get to say that.” He stopped. “You ordered me to kneel on broken glass.” His jaw tightened. “So don't pretend you're taking care of me now.” “Goddammit, Faye! Don't make this harder than it already is. I told you to stay here because I don't trust you right now. That's it.” Before I could answer, the intercom suddenly came on. “Colter!” Helena's frightened voice filled the room. “Please come upstairs. My arm hurts, and I can't move it properly. I'm scared.” Colter's entire expression changed. “Don't move, sweetheart. I'm coming.” He turned toward the door, then looked back at me. “Stay here. And don't fucking try anything while I'm gone.” He didn't wait for my answer before rushing upstairs. I sat there alone again, staring at the cup he'd left behind. A few seconds later, I heard him speaking to Helena from upstairs, his voice gentle in a way I hadn't heard in years. “It's okay, sweetheart. Let me see your arm. Does it hurt here? Easy. I've got you.” I closed my eyes. That was when I finally understood. Colter didn't want a wife. He wanted someone who would stay no matter how badly he treated her, someone who would accept every insult, every punishment, and every betrayal without ever walking away. And I had done exactly that for years. Not anymore. I took out my phone with shaking hands. There was only one person I could trust now. My brother, Jake. He'd been angry with me for years and had told me more than once that he was done protecting me, but he was still my brother. Blood was blood. I opened our chat and typed, “I need out, Jake.” I stared at the message for a few seconds before adding another. “Not just leaving. I need Colter to think I'm gone for good.” I pressed send and wait.

My phone rang before I could even catch my breath. I answered it and heard Jake's voice on the other end. “Faye. You cut us off for Colter. You chose him over Mom and Dad, and now you're calling me after they're dead?” I swallowed hard. “I know.” “You don't get to say you know. You made your choice years ago.” My eyes filled with tears as I wiped my face. “I did, and I regret it every day.” There was silence for a moment before I forced myself to continue. “Colter forced me to end my pregnancy because Helena's pregnant. He made me give the stem cells to Helena, and now he thinks I shot her. He's already signed the divorce papers, but he still won't let me leave.” Jake aswer. “I don't want revenge anymore,” I whispered. “I just want to disappear. I want him to think I'm dead so he can't control me anymore.” His voice became quieter. “Where are you?” “At the Vancourt villa.” “When can you get out?” “I don't know.” “You don't need to know. I'll handle it.” I closed my eyes, trying to hold back my tears. “I know you're angry with me, Jake. I chose Colter over our family, and I can't change that. But I'm scared he'll hurt me if I stay.” “I know.” His voice was still cold, but there was something underneath it that I hadn't heard from him in years. “Tomorrow morning, you're leaving.” “How?” “You don't need to worry about that. Just be ready.” I started crying again. “Thank you.” “Don't thank me yet.” He paused before adding, “This isn't about forgiving you, Faye. It's about making sure Colter never gets another chance to hurt you.” The call ended, and I sat there staring at my phone. For the first time in years, I had a way out. I looked around the room, thinking about everything I had lost and wondering if I could really leave it all behind. Then I remembered my baby. Yes. I would. The next morning, a black sedan was waiting outside the villa. It was nothing fancy and didn't attract any attention, which was exactly what we needed. I quietly left the house and got into the backseat before anyone could notice. The driver looked at me through the rearview mirror. “Ms. Winslow?” “Yes.” “Your brother handled everything. Once we leave the area, nobody will be able to track your phone.” I nodded and kept my eyes forward. I didn't even look back at the villa as the car drove toward the mountains. My knees still hurt from the broken glass, but I ignored the pain. After everything I'd been through, pain didn't scare me anymore. About an hour later, the driver spoke again. “We prepared everything. Another woman will be found in the car after the explosion. She has the same height and a similar build.” I looked at him. “My clothes?” “Already placed inside. Your bag, perfume, watch, and identification will all be there.” “So Colter will think it's me.” “Yes.” I looked out the window. “Jake really thought of everything.” “He said you didn't need comfort. You needed a clean way out.” I looked down at my hands. That sounded like my brother. He might have been angry with me, but when I finally needed him, he had still come to save me. The road became narrower as we climbed higher, and eventually we reached the meeting point where another car was waiting. I stepped out of the sedan, and the driver opened the door of the second car. “Once you leave this place, you're Faye Vancourth no longer.” I nodded. “I understand.” He studied my face for a moment. “Are you sure?” I took one last breath and looked back at the road behind me. “Yes.” I got into the second car, and the first sedan drove away. I watched it disappear between the trees until it was completely out of sight. Then I heard the explosion. The sound shook the mountain, and fire rose behind the trees as thick smoke filled the sky. My old identity was inside that car. My clothes, my bag, my watch, my identification, and everything else Colter would recognize were all there. Everyone would believe Faye Vancourth was dead. I sat quietly in the backseat. I didn't cry, but I didn't feel happy either. I just felt tired. For years, I had begged Colter to love me. I begged him to protect me, and I begged him to let me keep my baby. Now I wasn't begging anymore. He wanted me gone from his life, so I was giving him exactly what he wanted. Except this time, he would never know where I went. And he couldn't follow me. .... [COLTER'S POV] Meanwhile, my phone rang just as I was stirring honey into Helena's tea. I didn't bother checking the caller. “What?” The voice on the other end sounded shaken. “Don... it's Ms. Faye. She…” There was a pause, followed by a sharp breath. “There was a crash on the eastern mountain road. The car exploded on impact. The body was recovered. Her identification matches, and so does her watch.” My hand stopped moving. “What the hell are you talking about?” “It's already on the national news, Don! Witnesses recorded the fire, and they've confirmed it's the Donna!”