I slapped him so hard my hand stung. “Don’t you ever call me that again!” I shouted. “Do you hear me? Never call me that again!”

Dan was stunned. The imprint of my hand was fresh on his cheek. “I’ve paid a thousand times over for my mistake. A thousand times a thousand. I have suffered and bled for something that I would give my life to have prevented. I would have gladly traded my life for hers, but I can’t. But you will not hold this over my head anymore. I have paid the debt. Do you understand me?”

He didn’t answer.

“Do you understand me?”

“Yes ‘Lise.”

“Now get out of here.”

He slowly turned his back on me. He had just walked out the door when I shouted after him, “And you’re right. Nicholas and I are perfect for each other.” I slammed the door shut after him.

For the first time since the day Hannah died, I felt free. And I fully understood why Nicholas had been so good to me. He understood. He had weathered the same fierce storm.

I grabbed the package he’d sent and tore back the paper to reveal a satin box marked WATERFORD CRYSTAL. I untied its ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside the red-velvet-lined box was a crystal Christmas ornament. A star. Next to the star was a scrolled parchment note tied with ribbon. I untied the ribbon and unrolled the note. It was written in Nicholas’s hand.

My dear Elise,

It’s been said that the Magi, wise men, gazed up into the night skies, following a star. But they were not looking for a star. They were looking for hope. Hope of a new world. Hope of redemption. Light is not found in dark places, and hope is not found looking down or looking back. May you always look up. It has been my greatest joy spending this holiday season with you. And though things did not end between us as I hoped, whatever the new year brings, I will always hope the best for you and be forever grateful for your love. I will always love you.

Nick

Chapter Twenty-Nine

CHAPTER

Twenty-nine

Our contract has expired.

Elise Dutton’s Diary

When I arrived at Nicholas’s home I knocked on his door, then rang his doorbell, but he didn’t answer. There was one set of car tracks in the driveway, and I guessed he had gone somewhere. I sat down on the cold concrete porch to wait. The temperature dropped with the sun until it was well below freezing. Or at least until I was. I shivered with the cold, but I wasn’t going to leave. I couldn’t make myself leave.

It was after dark when Nicholas’s car turned in to his driveway. His garage door opened, but he saw me and stopped before pulling in. He got out and walked up to me.