She drove back to the mansion with her pulse pounding in her temples. She'd managed to fix things with Eileen before leaving the hospital, but Melinda's words still echoed inside her skull like blows from a hammer.

She needed time. That was all. Just a little more time for Grayson to transfer the rest of the money… and then she would disappear with Oliver for good.

She parked in the driveway and slammed her hand against the steering wheel, overwhelmed and cornered by her own lies—lies that grew deeper and more dangerous by the day. She closed her eyes for a moment, forcing herself to breathe.

When she opened them, she saw a car parked across the road.

"Perfect. My night just got better," she muttered.

She got out just as the owner of the car stepped out—Ethan, of course—with that mix of desperation and reproach written all over his face.

"Ethan… I told you we shouldn't see each other," she said bluntly. "I don't want any more problems."

"Don't shut me out, Kate." He march