a folder.
Chapter 49
Inside was a stack of photographs–Rachel had tracked my every move for six years..
The final photo showed Rachel and Robert in the prison visiting room, Robert holding a notebook Labeled “Thur Plan
“Rachel visited Robert twenty seven times in the past six months, Martinez explained. “They were plotting something.
He still controlling her, I said, staring at the photo. Even from prison…….
it he can t control you anymore, Caspian said firmly
Three days i later, 1 sat in Marcuss harrowed armchair, surrounded by even more files the FBI had recovered from Rachel s apartment.
The midence of her obsession was overwhelming–detailed schedules of my daily routines, meticulous notes on my conversations, photographs where she lurked in the background of moments I thought were private.
Shed documented my entire life since the day I ran
“Stall studying those files?”
Isolde handed me tear
“It’s been three days, Sage. You need rest.”
montoird me for six years, try.”
I flipped to a photo of us celebrating at Le Blanc last year–Rachel barking in the background.
“Look–she was everywhere.”
“A least she locked up now,” Isolde offered. The doctors say she need years of treatment
Victoria’s still out there.”
1 head up bank records.
“Palmer Enterprises paid Rachel five thousand dollars monthly through shell companies. My apartment’s ransacked, my mother hospitalized, Caspian shot twice, and bis prothouse nearly destroyed by Victoria’s smoke devices… Im done reacting. It’s time to change tactics.”
you thinking?
seed real security. Not just a hideout, but a fortress.” I set down my mug decisively.
Caspati renovated penthouse.”
Toulde raised her eyebrows. “But you’ve refused his offers before.”
four all this My wore harderond. “I’m sick of running. Six years is enough.”
bo when do me pack?
Tummarum. Th
e against the hospital pillows,
Mill marked from Rachel’s restraints.
for what Kartal did for never stopping
I said, but found myself gripping her hand
cutesting you. Aher pou left, Rachel changed
The implication made me nauseous.
“Did you know? About what he did to Rachel?”
Sarah closed her eyes.
I suspected. I was too afraid to ask. Tears streamed dinin her fare. “I failed both of you.
1 shifted topics, unable to beat the weight.
I’m moving. To Caspian Drake’s penthouse. They’ve finished repairing it after Victoria’s attack.
Recognition flickered in her eyes
Ive seen you both on the news. He seems to really care about you.”
Its complicated!
someone genuinely cares for you, don’t push them away. Don’t be like me, understanding what
“The past is the past, Sage,” she said with sudden intensity. “If som matters only when it’s too late?
I don’t know if I can trust anyone again.”
Sometimes the hardest choices are the right ones.”
After a lung silence, I said, “I try to visit more
to visit more often.
Hope blossomed in her eyes. ‘Really?”
I nodded. “Yes. I think… maybe we could start over?”
Victory Center s press room buzzed with reporters as Victoria Palmer stood at the podium, Victor Chambers at her side.
The have conclusive evidence that Ms. Sage Winters has abused her professional position to pursue a vendetta against the Palmer family,” Victoria announced. Even more troubling is her clearly inappropriate relationship with her client, Mr. Caspian Drake.”
“We are filing a formal complaint with the bar association,” Victor added smoothly.
A reporter stood. “What is the Palmer family’s position on Rachel Miller’s institutionalization?”
“Our psychiatric experts believe Ms. Miller’s actions were influenced by Ms. Winters‘ unstable mental state, Victor replied. “In fact, Ms. Winters has a history of violence, having previously assaulted her stepfather.”
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