Page 115 of This Life of Mine

“It is,” I say. “And it’s legally airtight.”

Her mouth opens, then closes. She sinks down onto the edge of the bed.

“I didn’t know,” she whispers. “I swear to you, Alex, I didn’t know.”

“I know,” I say hurried. “Nothing suggests you were aware.”

“It’s almost time for the next payout,” I continue. “Soon. Close enough that it’s already in motion.”

The color drains from her face as the final piece locks into place.

I say quietly. “They want it endedbeforethe money transfers again.”

She presses her hands to her stomach, breathing hard. “So if I die…”

“The payments stop,” I finish. “And the money reverts back into the family trust. Controlled by David Allister.”

The truth lands like a physical blow.

“Oh my God,” she murmurs.

“You’re a liability,” I say softly. “A long-term one.”

She laughs once. Sharp, disbelieving. “All this time, I thought they hated me because I left him.”

“They hated you because you survived him,” I correct. “And because staying alive costs them millions.”

Her hands tremble slightly. She curls them into fists, grounding herself.

“So they put a price on me,” she says flatly.

“Yes.”

“And Cole?” she asks. “Where does he fit into this?”

“He doesn’t,” I answer. “Not like this. He wants you like a possession, but he doesn’t want you dead.”

She nods, pieces sliding into place. The stalking. The rage. The obsession.

“But his father does?” she asks. “He wants me gone.” The words leave her in a whisper.

I nod.

The silence stretches. Thick, suffocating.

I step closer, careful, respectful. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You were never supposed to be collateral damage.”

She glances up at me, eyes bright with something sharper than fear.

“He tried to erase me,” she says.

“Yes.”

Her jaw sets. “WELL FUCK THAT!”

Something fierce ignites in her voice, anger with a spine.

And despite everything—the danger, the fallout, the mess still coming—a surge of grim relief washes over me. Because now she knows