🚨SEQUEL ALERT 🚨

My dearest readers,

Hayden and Eden have found peace and are learning to heal, truly live and love again but their story is far from over.

There are darker secrets, buried truths, and a new storm threatening the life Hayden and Eden fought so hard to build. Not to mention the even happier, swoon-worthy moments that will have us grinning.

So yes, this book will be continuing with a sequel arc.

Thank you for loving these characters as deeply as I do.

I am incredibly excited (and slightly terrified 😭) to take you all into this next chapter of their lives with me.

Please prepare your hearts.

P.S: There’s a playlist on Spotify titled “MTMBN.” If you’re interested, check it out.

Yours Truly❤️

………….

PROLOGUE

EDEN

     The front door clicks open at 9:47 p.m.

I'm already waiting in the foyer, barefoot on the cool marble, wearing nothing but one of Hayden's white shirts that falls to mid-thigh.

I've checked the security cameras three times since sunset.

The house is quiet except for Biscuit's soft snoring from his bed in the corner. Nora's been asleep for hours, her dark curls spread across her pillow like a halo.

Hayden steps inside, and the weight of the day collapses from his shoulders the moment the door shuts behind him.

He looks exhausted.

His suit jacket is slung over one arm, tie already gone, and the top three buttons of his shirt are open. His dark hair is damp from the rain outside, curling slightly at the edges in a way that still does unfair things to my stomach.

The second his gaze finds me, his eyes soften.

He lowers his briefcase and covers the space between us in three long strides.

Then his arms are around me.

He pulls me in, burying his face in the crook of my neck, and breathing me in. His shoulders tremble once before he steadies.

I wrap my arms around his waist and hold him back just as fiercely.

"Hi," I whisper against his chest.

He doesn't answer with words. He just inhales deeper, like he's trying to pull all of me into his lungs.

"I'm exhausted," he groans.

I can't help but grin.

"I can tell. Come on, let's get you freshened up," I whisper.

We head upstairs together, his briefcase in my grip.

In our room, I help him undress, loosening what's left of his shirt and sliding it off his broad shoulders. He lets me, his eyes half-closed. I press a kiss to the centre of his chest, right over his heart.

He cups my face with both hands, tilts my chin up, and kisses me, slow and deep, tasting like coffee. When he pulls back, his forehead rests against mine.

"How was your day, squirrel?" he asks, his voice hoarse.

I smile, but it feels tight at the edges.

"Good," I lie softly. "I got busy at the boutique. There were a lot of custom requests today."

He hums, pleased, and kisses the tip of my nose.

"You're doing so well, baby.”

Then he pulls away gently, heading towards the bathroom, unbuttoning his slacks as he walks.

"How's our girl?" he calls over his shoulder. "Did she eat all her peas today or declare war on them again?"

I stand frozen in the bedroom, staring at my phone still clutched in my hand.

The text is still open.

[Unknown number: Tell Hayden the archives were never destroyed. We're coming to collect what he owes us. The videos were only the beginning.]

My stomach twists into a cold knot.

I hear the shower turn on.

Hayden's voice echoes from the bathroom, tired but warm.

"Eden? You okay?"

I swallow hard, closing the message. Then I force a smile even though he can't see it.

"Yeah," I call back, my voice steadier than I feel. "I'm coming."

But inside, icy dread coils tight around my racing heart.

Because Rachel might be gone... but whatever she left behind is still hunting us. And I don't know how much longer we can keep pretending we're safe.