17. Life as we know it

Arystyn stood on the side-covered porch of her hilltop cottage, watching the season's first snowfall coat the land.

Would this storm be a brief flurry or a full-blown blizzard that would make the roads impossible to drive on by morning? It didn't matter, Arystyn told herself.

Whatever the weather, she had to be at the bank when it opened for business the next morning. Being there early was vital to her need to avenge the betrayal she'd suffered more than two years ago a betrayal that had festered in her over time, like a wound that never healed.

A betrayal at the hands of none other than the 2 people she trusted most.

The snow continued to fall. Maybe she should have stayed in town after hearing the weather advisory. Earlier this morning. She could have, booked a room for the night, and arrived early at the bank the next day. But it was too late to worry about it now fate had taken over.

Arystyn’s mind went back to the events at the warehouse and Darian admitting he had caused the deat