Two weeks later, Linda texted me: Christopher was awake and heading to Helmont Town for rehab. I replied, "Safe travels." That was the last I heard from him or the Hales.
Time flew. Three months later, Daniel and I decided to give dating a shot. One evening, walking home, I glimpsed a figure that looked like Christopher's silhouette on a familiar street. When I looked closer, it was gone.
That night, fifteen bouquets of flowers appeared at my door. six cards read, "Lauren, happy anniversary!" six said, "Lauren, happy Valentine's Day." The last six: "Lauren, happy birthday."
I knew it was Christopher. I hadn't been mistaken earlier—it was him. Each bouquet held a gift: necklaces, bracelets, luxury store gift cards. I frowned, and my phone pinged with a text from an unknown number: "Laure
