He has an air of competence that often accompanies people who are in charge of other people. He breaks eye contact, and it only makes me stare even harder, wondering what he’s seen that tops a man’s head being crushed beneath a truck.

I tilt my head as I attempt to dissect the layers of his cryptic reply. I’m not in shock, but I don’t know that I’m calm, either. “I can’t tell if you’re calm or in a state of shock.” He shoves it in the pocket of his suit and assesses me for a moment. I lean against the wall, turning away from the mirror. I rub my cheeks with the heels of my hands to inspire color, to no avail. The horror of what they’ve just witnessed have darkened the hazel to a murky brown. I toss it in the trash can, and then I grip the sink and stare at my reflection.

I take my wet shirt out of the sink and accept there’s no saving it. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of the night their family was forever altered. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity likely didn’t intend for anyone to read. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime.

Verity novel