Our Story, Rebuilt

o couldn't live with the guilt of her sister's death. It was the best lie money could buy. I left my old life, my career, my name, all of it buried

k Jensen. My childhood friend, the on

ed over the cheap burner phone I used. "The galle

working on-a chaotic swirl of dark colors, a storm of faceless figures. It was how I felt

y work under a pseudonym, protecting my identity while giving me a lifeline. "It is good news," he said, but I could hear the worry

of Liam's face had flashed in my mind, and I had dropped

ce soft with concern. "You d

constant fear that Liam would somehow find me, the crushing loneliness.

ung up. I couldn't lean on h

ack car pulled up beside me. My blood ran cold. It was the same model Liam drove.

face pale and draw

n. How did

urgent. "He's in town. He's on his way to you

fear I had been suppressing came roaring back, gripping me i

He's not well, Ava. He's been obsessed with finding you. He

my fake grave sent a shiver down

gnized your style from an old architectur

g that was saving me

low. He's offering a massive reward for any information

have something of Chloe's. A diary. He t

he whole thing was insane. Liam wasn't j

sked, looking at the man who had s

t him do it again. I owe you that much." He paused. "He's not j

and my heart leaped into my throa

ped, relief w

nto a hug. "Ben called me. I came

held back for so long finally f

let him touch you," he said,

local broadcast. And there was Liam's face, talking to a reporter. He looked haggard, but his ey

formation on his 'deceased' fiancée, Ava Hayes, c

He was painting me as a fugitive, a murderer on the run. My new life wasn't j