Page 3 of His Dark Purpose

She recalled the letter they’d received a few weeks before that had outlined the handover of property ownership. As she remembered, it was supposed to have been ‘seamless’, but in Amy’s experience, new landlords always wanted more money.

Who doesn’t?

“And?” she prompted when Graham said nothing further.

“And he wants more bloody money.” He slumped against the wall as though the weight of the world’s woes were pulverizing him.

His body language perfectly mirrored the crushing sensation tightening in her chest. They were both working as hard as they could. Therewasno more money.

“What did you tell him?” She considered offering him a hug, but somehow, their relationship had changed in the last few years. Recent times had seen them defined more by toil and struggle than affection and desire, and the gesture seemed oddly out of place.

“The truth.” His gaze flitted to hers. “That we can’t afford it.”

The ball of apprehension furled until she couldn’t pull in a new breath. She respected Graham’s honesty, but really, what was he thinking telling their landlord that? If they didn’t pay, then the new guy would just evict them, and they’d never find a home as lovely as Aspen Way on their salaries.

“Oh.” She barely pushed the word from her lips, her brows knitting.

How had it come to this?

Neither of them had ever been unemployed, and she’d worked full time since the boys had started school, yet they could hardly make ends meet.

“Are you saying that we’re out of here, then?” Lifting her chin, she was resolved to hear the truth. However painful it was. “Is that what the landlord decided?”

“No.” Graham sounded as surprised about the verdict as she felt. “He didn’t say anything about chucking us out.”

“What then?” She was grateful, but it didn’t make sense. Landlords didn’t usually offer charity.

“He said he’d be in touch.” He turned, throwing the paperwork into the lounge. Amy heard the thud as the stack hit the sofa. “More than that, I don’t know.”

“Right…” She shifted closer. “We have a reprieve then.”

“For now.” His brow rose, offering no more security than that.

“I guess we should be thankful for small mercies.” She smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

Evidently, it was not a good moment to mention Seth’s Duke of Edinburgh scheme. She’d have to make that happen herself somehow.

“We’ll definitely take it.” He turned and walked into the living room. “We could use some good luck.”

Moving to the doorway, she was inclined to agree, but she couldn’t understand why the landlord wasn’t insisting they pay the rent increase.

Tenancy rules were clear—either tenants paid or they vacated the property—but apparently, the new guy’s terms were different, and she couldn’t fathom how that worked.

One thought lingered as she offered to make Graham a cup of tea.

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Chapter One

Unraveled

William Kyle

The Present

Gripping the top of the polished banister, Kyle’s head pounded, the same six words running through his mind like a twisted mantra.

How can Amy have done this? How can Amy have done this?

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