1985 (#25) - Paul and Lauren's separation and moving in with Shawn

Willing to do anything to possess Lauren, mind, body and soul, Shawn, after eliminating Danny from Lauren's life, and causing the break-up with Neil and Gina just as Lauren desired, decides to focus on his main rival, Paul. Having spied on Paul for a long time, Shaw knows the man pretty well. Knowing that Lauren comes from a wealthy family as opposed to Paul, and assuming he can't afford to give his wife many gifts, Shawn begins to storm with Lauren's jewelry, roses and dresses, including a diamond and an expensive fur coat. Lauren, positively impressed by Shawn's thoughts, at least at first, soon begins to worry about making sure the man doesn't misunderstand her feelings for him. When Lauren then makes it clear to Shawn that she is happily married, the man puts on a good face and shows complete understanding. Shawn, in fact, relies heavily on Lauren and Paul being more and more distant, Paul being disappointed by the behavior of the woman who seems to neglect him more and more. Lauren warns that there are problems in the couple and inadvertently seeks an outlet with the least suitable person, Shawn himself, who can't wait to take advantage of them. The man, thus, continues to pour all his attentions towards Lauren, becoming practically a stalker and alarming Lauren, who however does not ask for any help, nor informs Paul of the situation. Becoming more and more impatient to have Lauren for himself, but now she doesn't trust his courting anymore, in the end he threatens Paul; in fact he informs Lauren that he hired a serial killer, Turk Muscat, to kill Paul if she hadn't accepted to leave her house with Paul to go and live with her. Forced to accept, Lauren thus leaves a desperate letter to Paul in which she tells him that she does not love him and wants to divorce him. Carl and Neil are dismayed to learn from Paul about Lauren's sudden decision to move out and are convinced that something must be going on. Lauren, meanwhile, is convinced that she must confess the whole truth to Paul about the danger she's in, but Shawn carefully manages to prevent Lauren from meeting her husband, preventing any attempt at contact. Lauren, determined to see Paul, thus gives him an appointment in the one place that Shawn finds difficult to control, the Church. On Christmas Eve, then, Paul finds himself at the church for the ceremony in search of Lauren, who is anxiously awaiting him in the pews. By his side, however, comes Shawn, who without saying a word to him shows her that he understands his plan. Desperate, Lauren struggles to hold back her tears next to a Shawn who is happy to know that Paul will attend the scene with her at his side, proving that Lauren would leave him to be with him. In fact, Paul sits in church with his mother just a few pews behind him and for the entire exercise Paul watches Lauren, concluding that he has never seen her so sad. Paul then convinces himself that there must be something behind her estrangement and promises to find out.