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He was gone.
Walking into the apartment complex, she saw that it was nice, with a front desk. One of the men smiled at her, already grabbing a key.
> “Hello, Ms. Vine.”
Rick had arranged for her identity to be changed. She was now Tulip Vine. Her past life gone, which was another reason why she didn’t want her family to know about her. She was supposed to live a life without Landon. Without anyone.
Taking a deep breath, she made her way up to her new place. The moment she entered, she knew the old her would have loved it. Security, space, and it was clean. No odd smells. It was perfect, everything she could ever dream of.
Only, Landon wasn’t here. Collapsing on the ground, she drew her knees up to her chest.
“It’s all going to be okay. You’re going to be safe. I promise.”
“Landon, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Tell me when I get back.”
Landon never came back. They went back to the Denton household, where she slept in his bed, and when she woke up in the morning, Rick was there. He was covered in blood, his somber expression telling her everything.
Landon wasn’t coming back.
“You know, I thought this place would be perfect for you,” Landon said.
She frowned. His voice wasn’t in her head. She looked up and there he was.
Tulip stood up and shook her head. “This isn’t real.”
“I know. Kind of crazy, really.” He held a walking stick. His face was a mess with cuts and bruises and he winced with every single step he took.
She had no choice but to pinch her own arm. “Ouch.”
“You’re not going to wake up.” He took hold of her hand and placed it against his chest. He wasn’t a ghost. His heart beat against her palm. “I’m alive.”
“Wait, but … what?”
“The bounty hunters were going to keep coming. Rick knew it and so did I.” He pointed at her arm. “I wasn’t going to have you hurt again, and so, I knew I had to die.”
“But you’re not dead.”
“I am. Landon Denton is dead, shot and killed by a bounty hunter. My body has already been buried. My old life is completely gone. You’re going to have to start calling me David West.”
“This isn’t happening. You’re alive?”
“No, Landon is dead. I’m gone. I’ll never be able to go home and I’ve got to live a quiet life, which also includes becoming a mechanic, and one day owning my own shop. Rick has set everything up for me. In the meantime, I get to marry you, Ms. Vine. You and I will get our happy ever after.”
“Does your family know?”
“Rick, he’s the only one who knows. As far as everyone else, including Jade, I’m dead, and if Rick does his work properly, they’ll believe you’re dead as well.”
“I don’t understand.”
“My death will force you to end your own life. You want to be with me. Only with me.” He stroked her hair back. “I thought of everything. All you have to do is marry me.”
“Wait, is that a proposal?”
“Yes.”
“It’s not very romantic and I haven’t even told you that I love you.”
