Written in 20 minutes. No time for typos.

“It was Sam, wasn’t it?”

Jason’s quiet question had Elizabeth looking away, folding her arms, and staring at the floor. When the face, the voice had flashed into her head during her shower, Elizabeth had been convinced that she was wrong.

And by the time she’d gotten out of the shower, she’d also persuaded herself that Jason would never believe her.

But she’d told him anyway, because maybe the strange flash would explain something—

She hadn’t expected him to look at her with reluctant acceptance—as if he almost expected her answer.

“Yes,” Elizabeth said finally. “I remember Sam. But that doesn’t mean—”

Jason looked away, then nodded. “It makes sense,” he murmured. “In a horrible way. It’s not like we don’t both know that Sam, when she feels justified, is capable of cruelty.”

“And you think she’d be justified in not only killing Franco, but letting me go down for it?” Elizabeth said, her throat thick. She looked away, tears stinging her eyes. She’d forgotten—somehow, in all the craziness—

She’d forgotten that Jason’s last memory of her would be that lie. That terrible, haunting lie about Danny. She hadn’t just kept Sam’s child from her—she’d ended up keeping Jason’s son away from him.

And maybe that had occurred to him—

“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t,” Jason said flatly. “I said she’d feel justified. Not that she’d be right.” He clenched his fist at his side. “Why would you ever think I’d let someone get away with doing this to you—”

“Because it wouldn’t be the first time,” Elizabeth said without thinking. “You made sure Courtney got away with blinding me.” Jason flinched, then stepped back from her.

“That’s—”

“Different? To you. Not to me.” Elizabeth dragged her hands through her hair, took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” she repeated when he said nothing. “I’m not—”

“Elizabeth—”

“I think the boys and I should—we should go. When Cameron wakes up, I’ll—I’ll find somewhere else—maybe we can go to Laura’s—”

She turned to leave, but Jason stepped in front of her—blocking her exit. “No. Okay. You’re right. And I know things are complicated with Sam. The things she’s done in the past to you, and—” He looked at Jake who was helping Aiden with the video game controller. “The things she’s done to the boys—”

“You married her, Jason. I know you forgave her—”

“But you didn’t.”

“I—” Elizabeth pressed her lips together. “All of that’s ancient history,” she said finally. “Right now, I need to know who’s trying to hurt me today. And while yes, Sam and I have tormented and hurt each other in the past—I’m willing to admit that my memory might be flawed—”

“Diane is tracking Sam down now,” Jason said. When she stared at him, he sighed. “You’re not wrong to think of Sam as someone who would hurt you. Who wants Franco dead. She’s the only person on both of those lists. So Diane is already checking.”

“Oh.” Elizabeth folded her arms. “Okay, then.”

“Laura called while you were asleep. And—” Jason hesitated. “Don’t go. You and the boys—you’re safe here—”

“I really hate that word,” Elizabeth muttered as she walked away from him as he stared after her, bewildered by the turn in the conversation.

“Elizabeth—”

She picked up her phone and winced. “I have a lot of missed calls,” she murmured. “I should get to them. Laura’s probably worried sick about Aiden.”

The conversation was clearly over, so Jason nodded. “Okay. I need to run out and take care of some things. I’ll check in with Diane. Call me if you need anything.”

——

Jason would never be comfortable looking at or talking to Drew Cain, the man who had—until eight months ago—been living Jason’s life. Raising his sons. Married to his wife. He’d been Jason Morgan, and, thanks to the memories still in his brain—still was.

Drew glanced up at him when Jason came to the office door at Aurora, and he shot to his feet. “I’ve been calling Elizabeth all day, but it keeps going to voicemail.” He stalked around the desk. “The news reports said the boys were missing, but—”

“They’re fine. Elizabeth panicked, sent Cameron with the boys to Canada.” Jason exhaled slowly, but then decided that Drew should probably have the full story.

So he told him everything—from the call in the middle of the night, to the scene at Elizabeth’s house, the drive to get the boys—and what had happened that morning.

Drew listened to it all, then closed his eyes when Jason finished with Elizabeth’s memory flash of Sam in the kitchen with her. “You think Sam did this.”

Jason hesitated—because Drew’s reaction wasn’t the denial he’d expected. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I didn’t want to, but Elizabeth remembers her. And it—I don’t know. I can’t see anyone killing Franco then going to the trouble of setting up Elizabeth.”

“If someone wanted him dead, there were easier ways,” Drew admitted. He dragged his hand across his face. “The thing is—I think—no, I know it’s possible.”

Jason blinked. “What? Why?”

“Because Sam wanted the divorce. Not me,” Drew clarified. “I thought she was leaving me for you—but then she left town. And I haven’t heard from her since. She hasn’t called Scout or Danny. I don’t—I can’t quite believe she’d put the kids through all of this if something wasn’t wrong.”

“Sam left almost a month ago. Why didn’t you say something?” Jason demanded.

“Because she left me,” Drew bit out. “And it was none of your damn business.”

“I—” Jason swore, then dug out his phone. He swore when he read the text message — “The PCPD is on their way to my place with an arrest warrant for Cameron.”

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