Ella recognised his choice of words. When they had been together he was always telling her how kind he was, how he’d do anything for anyone. Now, he was trying to manipulate her into thinking she wasn’t kind.

‘Is lying about your identity being kind? Lying about your occupation? Pretending you work at the City Hospital when you don’t? It beggars belief that you would walk out of that hospital entrance dressed up as a doctor, pretending you were something you weren’t.’ Ella was not holding back. ‘And here was me, believing every word. You made me love you, you used the death of my parents to get close to me. You planned it all and stole my inheritance, and now you’re back… for what? Because you think Dolores is going to give me money, or I’m suddenly going to be rich and famous? Who are you, Alex, and what are you? Because you are not a decent human being!’

Ella could see his knuckles turning white as he gripped the steering wheel. ‘You were an easy target.’ He looked over his shoulder. ‘I sat at that bistro for weeks, watching you. Think what we could do together now though.’

‘What the hell are you talking about?’

‘Flynn Carter, millionaire. Dolores Henderson must be worth a few bob, too. I want in.’

‘In on what? You are delirious, sick in the head – these are my friends!’

This was a man she’d once shared her life with and what she thought was a future, and now she wished with all of her heart that she’d never clapped eyes on him.

Alex pushed the lever and the boat picked up speed, crashing furiously against the waves. Ella’s life actually passed before her eyes. She felt dizzy, scared, but knew somehow that she had to get off this boat.

Ella looked towards the cold black water that was thrashing against the boat. She had no clue how far away from shore they were, but all she could think about was saving herself. She screamed as the boat jolted and hit the jagged rocks.

‘Just take me back, Alex! Everyone will already be looking for me, they will have seen the boat sail away!’

But Alex wasn’t listening, his face had darkened.

Something in the distance caught Ella’s eye; lights bouncing towards them, another boat. Alex was driving the boat so hard, she was struggling to stay on her feet as water splashed over the sides. She took another look over her shoulder and couldn’t gauge how far away the other boat was or whether it was actually heading in their direction, she just prayed it was.