Keeley floated on her back, contemplating her reluctance to return home. Too much stress awaited her there. This vacation had been a welcome respite, but she longed for normalcy. She yearned to leave her apartment without fear, to take her babies on daily walks in the pleasant weather, to post family pictures on social media like everyone else. Few people even knew she was a wife and mother.

Most of all, she wanted to escape the fear that had dominated her life. As long as she feared Lacy Knighton's machinations, she couldn't be truly happy with Aaron, regardless of his kindness.

Would the torment ever end? Lacy wasn't going anywhere. She would relentlessly stalk Aaron until her death. Keeley sighed. There was no escape.

"What's wrong?" her husband asked.

"I don't want to go home, Aaron," she said wearily. "I'm sick of being confined."

"I know, I'm sorry. There's no proof she's done anything illegal. I could get a restraining order, but everyone knows they're ineffective."

Keeley had read numerous news articles about victims murdered despite having restraining orders. He had a point. It would only enrage Lacy further.

It was appalling that people's safety wasn't assured until after a tragedy. The police could only do so much. She didn't want to provoke the psycho.

"What is it about you that attracts crazy people?" she asked, only half-joking.

He had driven her crazy countless times. There was something about him.

Aaron scowled. "You say that like it's my fault I attract lunatics."

"It is your fault. We've established this. My entire first life was ruined because of your ability to attract lunatics."

He had no counterargument. He embraced Keeley, pulling her upright and splashing water in her face.

She snorted in pain. Water up the nose was excruciating.

"What was that for?" she asked, glaring at him.

"Reminding you that I love you and that I'm glad you're here, despite the lunatics."

His affection was palpable, making it hard to stay angry.

"Yeah, yeah," she said grumpily. "The babies are probably awake and hungry. Dad can't handle both alone. We should go."

They climbed out of the pool. Aaron wrapped a thick, fluffy towel around her before she could react. Her anger dissipated further.

He checked his phone after retrieving their belongings and frowned at a message from Aiden. He'd specifically instructed Aiden not to contact him during the vacation; it must be important.

Aaron nearly dropped his phone. The message read: 'Lacy Knighton is dead. Someone murdered her; my sister found her body in the Bronx. I don't have other info, but I thought you should know.'

"What is it?" Keeley asked, squeezing water from her hair.

He showed her the phone. She dropped the towel. Dead? Really? Gone?

She slumped onto a deck chair, shocked. Lacy was supposed to outlive her by five years.

The only changes in this life were events directly connected to her and Aaron. They'd learned this when Gray became an ally instead of an enemy—a shift caused by Aaron's different actions.

So, what had Lacy done differently? She'd been plotting against Keeley in their past life…there must have been a specific action she altered.

She couldn't believe it. She'd never have to worry about Lacy Knighton again. She could live freely.

Keeley felt a pang of guilt at her lack of sorrow. A life was lost, but it benefitted her.

"What do you think happened?" she asked.

Aaron's blank expression—his default stressed look—returned. "I'm not sure…unless…"

"Unless what?"

Indecision flickered across his face. He was debating whether to tell her something.

She sighed. His first instinct was still secrecy.

"Tell me, Aaron," she said flatly.

He looked around before pulling her into a family bathroom for privacy. He spoke reluctantly.

"I can't accuse him without proof, but Gray called me out of the blue at the office. He vaguely asked if it would be convenient if Lacy disappeared. I think I said yes, and he hung up."

He ran a hand through his hair. "I didn't want to kill her! If I did, I'd have done it long ago. I didn't want to stoop to her level. But if he's behind this…she died because of me."

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