From Ashes To His Embrace

nst my head. I had one last call to s

I told her they were going to kill me, that he

voice like ice. "Jordan and I are final

with her, reminding her of our life together, of the

everything that matters. You're a mechanic from O

click of the phone hanging up was louder than the gun cocking behind me.

A dozen figures in black suits disarmed my captors in seco

tract. In exchange for my signature, she would pro

my only

pte

pressed against the bac

uise. He could smell stale beer and cigarettes on them. Out

ast chance. His thumb hovere

d the cal

ed up. Her voice was cold, distant,

you wan

strained. "They're going to kill me. You

her end, filled only by the f

unk again? I'm tir

eaded, his heart sinking

f. Her tone was sharp, impatient. "I'm busy. Jordan a

blow. Engaged. To her cousin, Jordan. The m

't. You love me. Y

ok at yourself. You' re a mechanic from a forgotten town in Ohio. I am

nt... you don't remember us. We had a life toget

family's judgment, her hands trembling as she held his. 'You're m

dripping with contempt. "I remember everythin

r finally breaking free, tracing a

one who has been stalking me, harassing me, using these pathetic sto

n in her voice. Jordan had

was a nail in his coffin. "He is my equal, my

n the background on her

the caterers a

en colder than before. "I have to go. I'm choosing the floral arrangements for my

ne wen

echoed in the s

his hand trembling. The

wasn't crying because he was going to die. He was c

ed her into the experimental electroconvulsive therapy fo

ing a cross-country trip where her vintage car had broken down. She was hiding from her

e under his fingernails, the quiet strength in his hands. He loved her vulnerability, the

private investigators found her, she stood in fr

hem, her voice shaking but firm

promised it would cure her anxiety, that it would make her strong en

ad all

Her beautiful, expressive eyes were now empty, cold. And Jordan, her

ad taken advantage of her during a moment of weakness. An

job, spread rumors that ruined his reputation, and made sure every door wa

ad hired these thug

r him. He had fought for so long, holding onto the h

as w

," he said, his v

ind him coc

nch. He just wai

burst open, flooding the dark

h disciplined precision. The two thugs holding Elias were di

nked, dis

ooked more expensive than his entire garage. Her hair was cut in a severe, pra

asked. Her voice was

trying to process

for a handshake, but to display a document. "I have a bu

wait for

f his company. You fit the criteria he outlined. In exchange for your signature, I will provide yo

d at her, d

he manag

icate the arrangement. You are, for my purposes, perfect." Her gaze was piercing. "

was

stranger, this powerful, pragmatic woman, was offering him a lif

ring on the floor, then at th

ft for him here. Iss

a shak

acc

"Good. My legal team will handle the details. You'

leave, her w

k black car, Elias allowed himself one last look bac

for her party with Jordan. A final, bitt

ords a silent prayer of farewell.

the car and d