‘No,’ Lauren said. ‘You’ll be fair to me. That’s all I need to know.’

‘We’re also thinking of moving the offices out of London.’

‘Even better.’ She could sell the flat, split what equity there was with Jude to repay him for his past contributions, and hopefully, she’d still come out with a small sum that she could use as a deposit on another place.

It would be a blow to Jude, losing two of his best employees, but she had to put herself first from now on. Jude Taylor had been top of her list for way too long.

‘There’s a barn that’s been partly converted, up for sale just near here,’ Zak went on. ‘The outbuildings would make a great office space. If I sell my London flat, I could just about afford it. Do you fancy relocating to here?’

‘It would be perfect.’ Annie would still be an hour away, but this was a truly idyllic location. She could imagine spending her days here.

‘Want to go and look at it?’

‘Do you think we have a future together, Zak?’

‘I’d like to think so, Lauren,’ he said. ‘I love you. I’ve loved you for a long time.’

She leaned towards him and kissed him on the lips. ‘Why was I too stupid to see it?’

‘It was a question I asked myself frequently,’ Zak teased.

‘I will make you pay for that one day, Zak Reynolds. One day, some way, you will pay. But for now I’ll forgive you because you’re so damn gorgeous.’

And, saying a final goodbye in her mind to Jude, she wrapped her arms around Zak and embraced the future.

Chapter 103

Chapter 103

I slept on the sofa last night and now – to add to my list of growing complaints – my back is killing me. I couldn’t get into bed with Greg. I just couldn’t.

I hate Mondays. Mid-morning, Chelsea comes to my office. Trying not to show that my heart is somewhere round my knees, I hand over my handbag filled with my cash. My lovely, lovely hard-earned cash that I needed so much myself.

‘Thank you,’ my sister breathes. ‘You don’t know how much this means to me.’

And you don’t realise how much this is hurting me, I think.

She kisses me on the cheek.

‘I hope it’s enough,’ I say. But she doesn’t answer me. Her face is drawn and she looks like she’s lost weight and she didn’t really have any to spare.

Then she glances at her watch. ‘I’d better go.’

‘You’ll be fine,’ I try to reassure her.