kly? One moment I was running what I thought was a simple errand for my mother-in-law, Veronica Fury, and the next, I was being accused of embezzle

sband, had allowed this to happen. He hadn't just doubted me; he'd acted as if I was nothing more than a criminal to him.

one, turn against me so easily? How could he believe his mother's word over mine? Veronica had despised

, just the low murmur of guards outside. Each second stretched on painfully, with nothing to distract me from

k to reality, and I looked up to see one

t," he barke

ized the truth and come to set things right. Or maybe Sarah, my best friend, had finally been allowed

ear. But as we reached the front lobby, I looked around and found it empty. There was

ice coming out smaller than I

to stick around. Get your belongings and sign out," he said, noddin

over, retrieved my things, and signed the release papers. Before I could

id, already movin

saw an unmarked car parked at the curb. The officer op

" I asked, trying to

yebrow. "Just get in the car.

id into the passenger seat, and he shut the door before climbing into the driver's side. We pull

tand the silence any longer. "Where are

xed on the road. I pressed him again,

turned down a quiet street lined with office buildings, and the car came to a stop i

tured for me to get out. "Inside.

looked up at the modest building. Why was I here? Why did Tay

deep breath before pushing the door open, finding myself face-to-face with a man seated

s tone businesslike but cool. "I'm Wil

. "Mr. Strickland? Why am I here? Wher

fference. "Mr. Fury asked me to handle your release, under specific condi

my voice wavering with the desperate hope that maybe

toward me. "Not quite. Mr. Fury has decided to drop the charges against you, but he has stipulated t

h flipping when I saw the bold title at

"No," I whispered, my eyes darting up to meet Strickland's. "This... this can't be real. Tay

Mr. Fury's request, Mrs. Abrams. Taylor's decision is clear, an

d alone, only to find out that my own husband didn't even want to talk to me. "Taylor needs to k

or's family has provided him with evidence they bel

his wife," I said, barely keeping my voice from breaking

is difficult, Mrs. Abrams. However, Taylor's stance is clear. You're fortunate to be walki

eart clenching with a mixture of pain and defiance. I wanted to scream, t

haky but firm. "No. I'm not signing anything until I speak to