LOGINThe 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’s POV The next morning, the sun was shining brightly through the tall windows of the breakfast room. The air smelled like fresh coffee, toasted bread, and the sweet scent of the pancakes Elena was making. I sat at the head of the long mahogany table, but I wasn't looking at my newspaper. I was watching Leo. The four-year-old was sitting in his high chair, wearing a pair of pajamas with little dinosaurs on them. He was very busy trying to use a plastic fork to poke a piece of strawberry. "Steady, Leo," I said, a small smile appearing on my face. "You have to be patient with the fruit." "It’s slippery, Daddy!" Leo giggled, finally catching the strawberry and shoving it into his mouth. His cheeks puffed out as he chewed, looking exactly like a little squirrel. Elena walked over from the kitchen area, carrying a plate of steaming food. She was wearing a soft, oversized sweater and her hair was tied back in a simple ponytail. She looked beautiful. She looked like home. "Here
Elena’s POVThe heavy wooden front doors of the mansion felt like the gates of a prison as I stepped through them. The morning air hit my face, but it didn't feel fresh. It felt heavy and hot. I squeezed Leo as tight as I could against my chest. His small arms were locked around my neck, his finge
Elena’s POVThe sound of Mrs. Irene’s pen scratching against the paper felt like a physical blow to my chest. It was a small, sharp sound, but it changed everything. She didn't look at my tears. She didn't look at the way my hands were shaking as I held onto my son. She just blew on the white pape
Inside the top-floor suite of the Regency Hotel, the television was still playing the local news. Elena’s face was frozen on the screen in a still frame from the interview.A heavy glass lamp flew across the room and smashed into the wall, showering the expensive carpet with sharp pieces of glass.
Julian’s POVThe sun was going down, casting long, bloody shadows across the floor of my study. I hadn't eaten. I hadn't slept. My eyes felt like someone had rubbed sand into them. But I couldn't stop. Every minute I wasted was another minute Mark and Adrian spent poisoning the world against me.S







