chapter 71

Vanessa pulls up in a big bungalow.

"Welcome to our studio." She swings the door open for me.

She bought an entire bungalow for the sole purpose of making it a studio? She is really passionate about photography. Unlike my husband who still hasn't called or texted me.

The interior is completely empty. The only thing in the room is a huge framed photograph of a lion hanging in the wall.

"It's my masterpiece." She says staring at the photograph. "I took it on one of my trips to Africa. It's when I was there that I completely fell inlove with lions. Their strength. Their bravery. Their royalty. Their unity. They taught me one important lesson."

"What?"

"In life, you have two choices." She pauses. "Grab what's yours or watch other people grab it. And that really stuck with me. It's become my life motto."

"Powerful." I fake a smile.

I wonder if this has anything to do with her obsession with Damien. I wonder if this is her giving me some sort of warning or threat. It definitely feels like