When I wrote a particular scenario in The Killing Game, the first book in my series, I didn’t realize I had woven a hidden backstory that paralleled a major biblical narrative— the story of David and Bathsheba, part of the lineage of Jesus. It’s a tale of desire, conse - quence, and redemption. In brief, King David sees Bathsheba, another man’s wife, and succumbs to temptation. Their illicit union results in a pregnancy. To cover his transgression, David orchestrates the death of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, in battle. Though they marry, their first child, a son, dies; a profound consequence of David’s sin in God’s eyes. In The Killing Game, Ives sees a photograph of Allina and is instantly captivated. As he gets to know her, his infatuation deepens into a bond he cannot deny. Before meeting her in person, he even secures a marriage certificate, believing she is “the one.” Following his father’s example of love and commitment, Ives has abstained from casual relationships, focusing instead on his career with the intent of devoting his life to the woman of his dreams. A Series of Missteps As with David’s story, missteps lead to heartbreak. Ives allows Allina to become en - tangled in the Luca case, trusting in his abil - ity to shield her from the chaos. But events spiral beyond his control, exacerbated by the Bureau’s higher-ups issuing orders that overruled Ives’ directives. Unbeknownst to him, Allina is already pregnant—a reality he only discovers after tragedy strikes and their unborn son is lost. The Bureau’s disregard sets the stage for deeper conflict. Yet, the situation is far more complex than it seems. Here’s a breakdown of events. Ives’s first mistake was not proposing to Allina immediately—before the Bureau got any bright ideas and trampled on her safety. It would have spared them so much heartache. Their disregard created a chasm between Ives and the Bureau, one they could never bridge, leaving him increasingly dis - trustful of their agendas. In their eyes, this made him more powerful—and far more dangerous. As the saying goes, "Hindsight is 20/20." His second mistake was involving Allina in the Luca case, believing he could shield her from its dangers—a choice that sets the stage for disaster. This error is compounded by his failure to notice the signs of Allina’s pregnancy. Though he observes her radiance during the case, he attributes it to her virtu - ous nature standing in stark contrast to Luca’s malevolence. He never suspects the true reason. The third misstep occurs when Ives goes off- grid for a week, trusting others to monitor the situation. Luca manipulates Allina, push - ing her toward a deadly ultimatum she can - not accept. Upon returning, Ives succumbs to jealousy and frustration, treating her as a mere informant rather than the woman he loves. Their last meeting before the tragedy is marred by tension, leaving Allina dazed and unsure of where to turn. When Ives finally snaps out of his anger, it’s too late. In the aftermath, his friend Dr. Blandings delivers the devastating news: Allina was pregnant, and their unborn son is gone. The revelation hits Ives like a physical blow. The text reads: "Feeling as though his heart had ruptured, Ives heaved a wild grunt, and in a burst of motion, he stood, lifted the metal chair he had been sit - ting in, and hurled it at the opposite wall. As it crashed and fell to the floor, the tearing sound of the bending metal carried the echo of Ives’ hatred of Luca through the room, then it filtered down the cold tile corridor." The parallels to David’s story crystallize for Ives in that moment. He recognizes the weight of his actions and their devastating consequences. Like David, he resolves to confront the source of his torment—not to cover his sins but to seek justice. Lessons in Redemption Despite the heartbreak, life moves forward. Both Ives and Allina must face their roles in the tragedy and find a path to healing. They learn that straying from God’s laws carries profound consequences, no matter how “right” something feels in the moment. If they had waited until marriage to come to - gether, Allina would not have been involved in the Luca case, and the tragedy could have been avoided. This loss serves as their realignment—a painful but necessary turning point that draws them closer to God’s plan. It’s a cau - tionary tale for us all. As King Solomon, David’s son, said, “There is nothing new under the sun.” Temptations and trials may look different, but their essence remains un - changed. The wisdom lies in recognizing the potential consequences before taking a step that feels right in the moment but contra - dicts God’s guidance. Newton’s third law of motion—“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reac - tion”—perfectly encapsulates this truth. Choices outside of God’s alignment ripple outward, often creating heartache and suffering. Moving Forward with Grace Ives and Allina’s story reminds us that even in failure, there is hope. By trusting in the Lord and realigning their lives with His will, they overcome their pain and move forward. Let their journey serve as a powerful re - minder: God’s laws are there to protect us. When we step outside their bounds, the con - sequences can be profound—but redemption is always within reach.