Chapter 6 After twenty minutes of being outside in the rain , shivering so bad I thought my bones . would snap , my mother finally pulled up with a car . She threw a blanket over me and pulled me inside without saying a word . I was half - conscious , teeth clattering , but I felt the warmth of her hands guiding me . She drove me straight into the city and checked us into some five - star hotel . Marble floors , chandeliers , people bowing when she passed . She made me sit on the couch , handed me warm tea , and brushed my wet hair off my forehead like / was a child . " Rest now , Claire . I'll handle everything , " she said . " I am not the woman you remember . I am a billionaire now , I can move people like pieces on a board . You don't have to worry anymore , child . " For the first time in days , I let myself breathe . My chest loosened . I closed my eyes and whispered , " Thank you , Mum . " Later that night , when the suite grew quiet , we sat by the window with the city glowing below us . We whispered plans like secrets . She told me she could buy influence , make calls , bend the world if she had to . She sipped her wine and said , " If you want to disappear , I have people who can make it happen . " I looked down at my trembling hands . " Can you ... fake my death ? " " Yes . Easy . I already have the right people . " But first I need to call Beck for the last time . I grabbed my phone and called Beckley five times in a row . The first four went unanswered . On the fifth , his voice finally came through , rough and annoyed . " Claire , what is it now ? " My throat ached . " Beckley ... thank you for the five years . I just realized- " He cut me off . " You realized you were wrong now ? Good . Come to the hospital tomorrow and apologize to her . Be decent to Fresca . She's giving you life . You should be grateful instead of acting like the world belongs to you . " Before I could speak , I heard Fresca in the background . Her voice was all sugary , fake concern . " Who are you even talking to ? " " It's Claire , " he said flat . Fresca gasped like she was shocked . " Claire ? What does she want now ? Is she I'm begging again ? Beckley , I don't want drama . I'm scared of her . She slapped me , traumatized . But maybe after a month , once I calm down , I will do the surgery . I know she's jealous . I don't want you two fighting anymore . I'm sorry ... " " No , Fresca ... Don't be sorry . " 8:56 Thu , Oct 16 ... Then the line went dead . He hung up on me . Just like that . My phone buzzed before I could pull my hand away from my ear . A new message . glowed on the black screen . " Look who won . Me . Poor Claire ... your husband doesn't even look at you now . Do us both a favor , disappear from his life . That'll make everyone happier ." I stared at the black screen , the dial tone buzzing in my ears . My chest burned , but no tears came . I turned to my mother and whispered , " Do it now , Mom ." She didn't hesitate . She just pulled out her phone , her face unreadable . I watched her make quiet calls . Shadows moved in the city that night . Cars drove down empty streets . Envelopes passed between strangers . A phone of mine was left somewhere it shouldn't be . I never asked the details . I didn't want to know . All I remember is the screech of tires , the flash of headlights , and the silence after . My phone abandoned , my wedding ring and bracelet planted where someone would find them . My mother's calm face staring down at the staged wreck . By morning , the news broke everywhere . ' Local woman killed in car crash en route to hospital . ' Reporters buzzing , police tape flapping , neighbors crying into cameras . No name was confirmed yet , but my phone and wedding ring were shown . Proof enough . In our suite , the TV was glowing . My mother turned it off , her hand steady . " It's done , child ," she said . I nodded . My chest was full of grief and relief all knotted together . I couldn't tell them apart . She arranged everything in hours . New passports , new names , a private jet . She told the concierge to pack our luggage quietly under a false name . The world bent around her money and her certainty . By dawn , we walked through a silent private terminal . My mother's hand was on my back , guiding me . I looked once at the city skyline in the distance . My chest squeezed , but I turned away and stepped onto the plane . " Cabin secure . Preparing for takeoff , " the pilot's voice crackled through , steady and professional . My mother leaned close , " Are you okay " Yes , " I whispered , eyes fixed on the dark horizon . " Because when I come back to this city , Beckley and Fresca will pay . Every debt they've written in my blood - I'll collect . " 8:56 Thu , Oct 16 Chapter 7