CLAIMING HER BACK

Point

is mind: "One hour before she's dust." He forced his foot down harder on the accelerator, weaving through traffic as rain began to spatter the stained glass above him.

, the hallway stretched empty and silent. Blood pounded in his ears until Deborah's door burst open and she staggered into his arms, boots clacking against the tile. H

red, against her hair

in trembling. "You s

t. "I couldn't d

ill a damp cloth. "She's shaking," Na

forehead, offering a shaky smile.

Bill knelt before her, pulling out his phone. "I called Leo. He's tracing the van that took yo

e was sharp. "Why ri

ut you. I know I hurt you. And I know words aren't e

warring with relief. "Give m

"Because I'm cha

video for the board explaining his decision: he would step down to focus on personal responsibility and safety measures for Deborah. He cleared his office, d

Deborah's jewelry business-DebCrest Designs-with full transparency and shared access. He sent Deb

n hand. The old space smelled of cedar and graphite, comforting yet bittersweet. Deborah sat at her dra

said, voice quiet. "I-di

e dashboard: every penny he'd given, every incoming order, every pending lead.

aw the transfer of funds and a running tally

it with her thumbprint. "Ask anything. Read my

vate texts with friends, even his therapy schedule. Each

imming. "I never thought

it gently. "I want you in my l

d drawn up: 24/7 surveillance for her studio, a discreet bodyguard rotating shifts, emer

teadily, the old spark in her eyes flicker

u," she w

hest. "No more running," he pro

hts shimmering like distant stars. He scrolled through Leo's latest update: the van that took Deborah was regist

A message from a

anges. Now show us y

bed, hair fanned over a white pillow. T

lance cameras-a key part of his

tood ajar, lock broken. Inside, every light was off. He flicked the switch: the r

side her drafting table, cracked. Th

r. No sign of her. Blankets strewn acr

table. He snatched it up and read the si

ked away. Then

backed away, bumping into the wall. Then his phone

d on the f

calm but distant. "You kept your

ne wen

the note to his chest, heart shattering with the realization: proving he had changed wa