Then one afternoon, I came home and found the front door open.
Grant arrived within minutes and searched the house. Someone had opened desk drawers and taken cash from a jar.
“This wasn’t random,” he said. “Someone was searching for you.”
Three days later, Kyle appeared on Aunt May’s porch.
Five years had passed, but hearing his voice made the old fear return instantly.
“Lena, please. I only want to talk.”
He looked thinner and exhausted.
“How did you find me?”
“I hired an investigator. I’ve been searching for more than a year.”
Grant stepped behind me, but he did not take control. He waited for my decision.
Kyle looked at him.
“Who is he?”
“I’m her husband.”
“No,” I said. “Not in any way that matters.”
Kyle asked for five minutes. I agreed to speak on the porch while Grant remained nearby.
He explained that Brad and Chase had later told the gas-station story on a podcast. They still considered it hilarious.
