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When the police saw the 2013 video, they theorized that Claire left of her own free will If that were true, wouldn’t she have taken s? Wouldn’t she have taken more money? She had access She had credit cards and an ATM card, yet they were all found in an Illinois hotel

Being nearly 2:00 AM, Tony was alone in his office The various screens displaying the estate were devoid of people Everyone was fast asleep Even the crickets outside his open s knew to leave him in silence, yet with no one to hear, he spoke the question he’d been wrestling with for days, "Why, Claire? Why?" In one gulp, he downed the ah the rich Glen Garioch whiskey went down smoothly, it didn’t ease the ache in his head or the pain in his chest

Maintaining his facade for the last few days had successfully drained his strength Tony needed sleep, but how could he sleep in their bed? He couldn’t even stand to enter their roo that hurt the most If he knew she were safe… If he knew she did this of her own free will… but he didn’t know Last time--in 2012--he knew, and without a doubt, the pain he’d put her through back then added to his current torment

How could Claire evaporate into thin air?

The BMW she’d driven was thoroughly searched by Iowa’s top CSI Only her fingerprints, Clay’s, Eric’s, and Tony’s were discovered… no unknown clues

For the first time in his life, Tony had dared to believe in happily-ever-after It was a risk At a young age he’d learned that it was unattainable; therefore, he’d never even tried… until Claire Soertips The wealth, ho when he saw the pictures of Claire with Harry Tony couldn’t be at that daala and know she was there with him Hell, Tony hadn’t even known about their baby He just knew, for the first ti to risk public scrutiny to have what he wantedelse--the contents of his envelope The proble her realize it

Tony reached into his drawer and reht the smile to his lips as it once had Now, it was a blatant re it back into the drawer, he turned off the screens, and lay upon the soft leather sofa His mind went back to 2011 On this very couch… on this luxurious carpet… on his desk He sether Dareat Despite the happy s he’d done to her, the e

Then somehow in this totally screwed-up world, when all was said and done, she’d taken him back The happiness faded as doubts infiltrated his mind If Claire left of her own free will, had any of the past fourHe told her every day how much he loved her Had it all been a charade? Did she have her own agenda of revenge for his past sins? Tony didn’t want to think it was possible

The pounding in his head brought moisture to his eyes His words were barely audible That was all right; they weren’t intended for anyone except the wo Why? Why did you leave me?" As the tears coated his cheeks, he told hiize, and he doesn’t cry…

Perhaps there were stars falling, volcanoes erupting, or epic winds blowing Truthfully, at that moment, the entire world could’ve been lost and neither one would have known

--Aleatha Ro altitude with each pass, until it finally caoon From the air, Tony had seen the main home sprawled on a hill above the beach, as well as etation Froe patio All he could nize The propellers slowed as the engine died Following Roach’s lead, Tony re ear phones

"Are you ready?" Roach asked

Tony had better be ready; he’d eluded the FBI and traveled halfway around the world for this He prayed it orth it, that Claire would, at the very least, hear him out After all, the last time they’d spoken, he’d allowed his own disbelief and hurt to distort theof her words She’d tried to clarify, and he’d stayed true to form and been an ass Tony hadn’t even considered what she’d been through during the pastup on her Steeling his shoulders, Tony replied, "I am Do you think she’s up at the house?"

"I’m sure she heard the plane," Roach replied "I’d expect her to coreet us"

"Us?"

"Well, there’re two of us She doesn’t know you’re co, but no one exceptme"

Tony nodded, as Phil stepped from the now beached plane The hot, humid breeze filled the cabin, while white sand and palht back memories of his and Claire’s honeyht about that--if she thought about hi a deep breath of salty air, Tony exited the plane His shoes sunk with each step as sand covered the leather loafers Looking up toward the greenery and flowers, Tony’s world stopped