Chapter 134

• Mrs. Sydney sat quietly in her office as the clock ticked past 6 p.m. Outside, the sky was turning a dull orange. Her desk was cluttered with files — legal documents, travel plans, and bank statements. For weeks, she had been getting ready for this moment. Every document she stashed into her leather bag tonight was part of her escape plan.
• She planned to leave before sunrise to vanish quietly with Caudle, her secret lover. They had arranged everything: a flight, a new bank account, and even a rented apartment overseas. No one would suspect anything until it was too late.
• She was halfway through sorting her documents when her phone buzzed sharply on the table. She frowned, reached for it, and froze when she saw the name on the screen.