Chapter 7

The next three weeks were the longest of her life. When out in public, she played the part well. She was the picture of the devastated and seriously pissed-off fiancée of a man whose days were numbered. At home, she began to pack things for her trip. She couldn't take everything, and she couldn't take any of Jason's things, but since she was leaving town, she had a legitimate excuse for taking some things.

The day of the execution finally arrived. Sam sat in the gallery accompanied by Sonny, Carly, Diane, and a handful of others. The mood was grim and the tension in the room was thick. She watched as Jason was led into the execution chamber. The guard removed the handcuffs and shackles and he was strapped to the gurney. Carly sobbed as she gripped Sam's hand and Sonny turned away, obviously upset. Sam forced herself to emote, but when Jason turned his head and their eyes met, the reality of what could have happened hit her. Hot tears of relief flowed down her face, which everyone else saw as tears of heartbreak. She managed a small smile and winked at Jason, who nodded back. He turned his eyes back to the ceiling as the liquid was injected into his veins.

'Okay, Sam, sell it,' she told herself. As the heart monitor stopped, the prison doctor made the declaration.

"Time of death: 9:48."

"No! JASON!" Sam bawled as she crumpled to the floor. Carly knelt next to her and the two women sobbed together. Sam felt awful for deceiving Carly and Sonny, but she knew that it had to be this way. Sonny stood in the corner of the room as he grieved for his friend. After a few moments, Diane gently guided them all to leave.

Two days later, Sam sat in the church as Jason's family and friends said goodbye to him. As soon as the service was over, she approached Sonny.

"Sonny, I just wanted you to know I'm leaving town today," Sam said with tear-filled eyes.

"Leaving?" Sonny repeated. "Why?"

"I…I just can't stand it here anymore. He's everywhere, Sonny. I can't take it," she said softly as she stared at the ground.

"I understand. Do you know where you'll go?"

"No, I'm just going to take the first flight I can get. Jason," her voice broke as she spoke his name, "signed over everything to me. I'm leaving the keys to the penthouse and the cars. You can do whatever you want with them. I'm signing over his portions of the business to you."

"So you don't think you'll come back?"

"No. I just can't stand the memories. Take care of Carly and the boys. He would want that. Thank you for being a good friend, Sonny. To both of us," she said.

"Take care, Sam. I hope you find what you're looking for," he said as he pulled her into a hug.

"I will," she said with a small smile.

She left the church, gathered her bags and headed to the airport.