Mag-log inThe gray sedan pulled up smoothly to the side entrance of the Central Heritage Bank. The building was massive, made of old, heavy gray stone with giant marble pillars at the front. It looked like a fortress from another century. It was a place where the richest families in the world kept their deepest secrets.Marcus stopped the car in a quiet loading zone. "We are here, Mr. Vane." "Good. Marcus, stay with the car and keep the engine running," Julian said. He unbuckled his seatbelt and looked back at Elena. "Leo is asleep. It is better if Marcus stays here to watch him. He will be safe in the car with the doors locked. You and I will go inside."Elena looked down at little Leo. He was breathing softly, totally asleep. She kissed his forehead gently. "Okay. Marcus, please lock the doors immediately." "I will protect him with my life, Miss Elena," Marcus said seriously.Elena took a deep breath. She grabbed her small purse, making sure the white envelope and the silver key were safel
The gray car drove smoothly down the big highway. Outside, the rain started to fall again, making a soft tapping sound against the glass windows.In the front seat, Marcus kept his eyes on the road. His hands were steady on the steering wheel. He drove carefully, making sure not to speed so the police would not pull them over. He wanted this trip to be completely invisible.In the back seat, Elena held Leo close to her. Leo was getting sleepy. The gentle movement of the car made his eyes heavy. He dropped his blue plastic block onto the seat and rested his head against Elena’s arm.Julian turned around from the front passenger seat. He looked at Elena. Her face was still very pale, and she was staring out the window at the passing trees. "Elena," Julian said softly.Elena blinked and looked at him. "Yes, Julian?" "You are thinking too much," he said. He reached his large hand toward the back seat and placed it over her knee. "Talk to me. Tell me what is in your mind."Elena looked d
Julian stood by his desk, his phone pressed tightly to his ear. His fingers were clenched so hard his knuckles turned white. He listened to the head of security’s voice coming through the line, reporting on Sebastian’s angry shouts at the front gates."Keep him there," Julian ordered, his voice dropping into a low, dangerous tone. "Do not let him through the outer perimeter. If he tries to force his way in, use total legal restraint. I want him stuck at that gate."Julian ended the call and tossed the phone onto the smooth wood of his desk. He turned his sharp eyes toward Elena.Elena was sitting on the edge of a leather armchair. Her face was very pale, and her fingers were wrapped tightly around the folded piece of parchment paper. The silver key rested in her lap, catching the dim light from the window. She looked so small in the large room, her breathing quick and shallow.Julian walked over to her in long, quiet strides. He knelt down in front of her chair so they were at eye lev
The next morning, the Vane mansion was buzzing like a beehive. Florists were carrying in thousands of white roses, waiters were polishing silver trays in the kitchen, and Julian’s security teams were walking around with earpieces, testing the security cameras. Elena was sitting at the small table in the family sunroom, sipping a warm cup of chamomile tea to calm her nervous stomach. Her four-year-old son, Leo, was on the rug nearby, playing quietly with his colorful toy blocks. Suddenly, the head butler, Mr. Thomas, walked into the room. He carried a polished silver tray in his hands. "Excuse me, Miss Elena," Mr. Thomas said politely, bowing his head. "This just arrived at the front gate via a priority delivery courier. It is addressed directly to you." Elena frowned, setting her teacup down on the table. "To me? I wasn't expecting any packages today." "The courier stated it was extremely urgent, ma'am," Thomas said, stepping forward and offering the tray. On the silver tray s
JULIAN “What are your orders, sir?" "I want forty undercover security guards dressed in tuxedos mixed into the crowd tomorrow night," I said, turning back to face Marcus. "I want every exit blocked. Nobody leaves the ballroom without my clearance. If Sebastian or his mother try to approach Elena with legal papers or try to threaten her, I want them surrounded immediately."I walked over to my desk drawer, unlocked it with a small key, and pulled out a velvet box. Inside was a beautiful, custom-made diamond necklace that I had bought for Elena for the party. I picked up the small silver clasp at the back of the necklace and showed it to Marcus. "I had my tech team install a micro-tracking device inside the main diamond setting this morning," I told him. "Even if the house power goes out, even if there is total chaos, I will know exactly where she is down to the millimeter. She will be the safest person on this planet tomorrow night." "Understood, sir. I will coordinate the teams
Elena’s POVThe bedroom floor was covered in silk, satin, and lace. There were at least ten different garment bags hanging from the heavy wooden wardrobe, and the room smelled like expensive new fabric and fabric steamer steam."No, definitely not the dark green one," Chloe said, tossing a heavy velvet dress onto the chaise lounge. "It makes you look like a very beautiful couch, Elena. We need something that says 'I am the future queen of this city,' not 'I am ready for a winter nap.'"I couldn't help but laugh, though my stomach was tied in tight knots. I was sitting on the edge of the mattress, clutching a plush pillow against my stomach. "Chloe, please. I just want to look like someone who belongs there. I am so terrified my hands won't stop shaking."Chloe stopped sorting through the racks and walked over to me. She sat down on the bed, gently pulling the pillow out of my arms so she could take my hands. Her palms were warm and rough, a familiar comfort from our hard days working
Julian Vane stepped out. He wasn't in a hundred thousand dollar suit surprisingly. He wore a simple black sweater that hugged his broad shoulders and dark jeans. He looked less like a CEO and more like a predator out for a stroll. But as he looked at me standing there in the middle of the parking
ELENA’s POV The morning after the gala, the sun felt too bright. It felt like it was poking through the heavy curtains of our bedroom. My head still throbbed. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Julian Vane’s face. I saw the way he looked at me, like he owned the air I was breathing.I rolled over
The museum was filled with the sound of a hundred violins, but to me, it sounded like a funeral.Every step I took in my high heels felt like I was walking on fire. My stomach was in knots, not just from the nerves, but from the fear I felt. In my mind, I felt like I was already showing. I felt li
The drive home was the quietest thirty minutes of my life. The night still didn’t feel real. Every time I shifted in the driver’s seat, I could still remember the touch of his hands on my waist. Five thousand dollars. I thought to myself. I paid five thousand dollars to feel alive again. I







