Page 44 of Twisted Contract

“How’s Ian? God, please tell me something good.”

“He’s in intensive care, and we can see him later today.”

“Are you serious? That’s great news.”

“I’m assuming things aren’t good with Claudia.”

“She wants a divorce.”

“I thought that’s what you wanted too.”

“It was supposed to be the plan after I killed Saunders.”

“So what changed her mind? Did you cheat on her?”

“Never.”

“Hit her?”

“God, no.”

“She talked to Saunders, and he is what changed her mind. I refused to end the contract because I don’t want the divorce.”

“Does she know that you won’t kill Saunders?”

“I…”

“Shit. I hadn’t thought of it, but it doesn’t change anything. She wants it over between us.”

“No, she doesn’t want you to kill her father. Whatever he said changed her mind, but then maybe there’s a good reason for it. That woman hates your housekeeper,” he says.

“How do you know that?”

“Nora told me, and that means she’s jealous as fuck. At least, that’s the vibe that Nora got.”

“Your wife has feelings for you.”

“Not anymore.” I drop my fucking head, kicking the damn box in my father’s burned-down garage. When I do, I find a little hatch. “What the fuck?”

“What is that?” Jack says. He pulls on it, and a small little crawl space appears. Inside is a small box that says:To My Boyson it.

Dearest Jack, Connor, & Ian,

I love you more than words can say. This hiding spot was built without anyone but the contractor and I being aware of it. So, when you read this letter, I won’t be here anymore. I hope I’m not far away, and maybe we’ll see each other from time to time and you won’t hate me, but there is a chance your father finds me before I can escape with John. There are manythings I haven’t spoken about, partly because of shame and partly because of fear.

I will always love you boys, but I can’t live with your father anymore. He’s so evil, and now that I have your brother to care for, I must protect him before it’s too late. I can’t stay through another lifetime and wait for John to grow up. I must explain something to you. There is a man I met, and we fell in love. He’s John’s real father.

If I die, please love your brothers as you should and be kind to the little one. He has no part to blame in my choices.

Love, your mother

“Damn it, I’m going to tear my own balls off.”

“Claudia’s never going to take me back.”

“Why?”

“I fucking said she was essentially weak and fell for Saunders’s sob story. What if this is what he told her?”

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