Page 32 of The Dark Stranger
“I don’t care who she is,” Becca said. “I care that you thought you could do this behind my back. Again.”
Izzy took a step forward. “You’re already drowning, Becca. I was trying to—”
Her laptop chimed.
Email received.
She turned slowly, dread crawling up her spine, and opened it.
The subject line made her stomach drop.
Offer Accepted — Property Sale Confirmation
Her eyes skimmed the words, heart pounding louder with every sentence.
The property has officially been purchased.
All paperwork finalized.
Ownership has been placed under your name per buyer request.
Her breath caught.
“What?” she whispered.
Izzy moved closer. “What is it?”
She looked up at him, eyes sharp now. Awake.
“The shop was sold,” she said.
His face drained of color.
“To who?” he demanded.
She stared back at the screen, confusion twisting into something else entirely.
“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “It doesn’t say.”
Another line caught her eye.
Purchase price exceeded competing offers.
Izzy swore under his breath.
“That’s not possible,” he said. “Jenna—”
He stopped.
Because suddenly he understood
“You didn’t buy it,” Becca said.
It wasn’t a question.
Izzy shook his head, disbelief etched across his face. “No. We were still negotiating.”
Silence fell between them — thick, electric.
