CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SIX – RED SPRAYPAINT

Her fears proved grimly accurate over the next few nights. First it was the flat tire on her car, then the side mirror torn clean off when parked overnight in their building's garage. Little jagged potholes seemed to open on her path at every turn, piling onto her building sense of anxiety. Kayla tried to push through, shoulder the disruptions as she focused on her work and preparing for the baby's impending arrival. But the final straw came several sleepless nights later when the couple awoke to find Kayla's car spraypainted with harsh, jagged words; "ALWAYS YOURS" Kayla felt the blood drain from her face, chilling terror creeping up her spine. This was no longer just an unsettling nuisance or intimidation play - Nathan had turned outright deranged and dangerous. Trembling violently, she instinctively shrank back against Lance's powerful frame as he stormed outside, cursing a blue streak. Her brave front was rapidly unravelling. She had tried to handle this calmly, take the high