The Billionaire's Contract Bride

“Take off the ring, Elena. You’re not my bride anymore.”The words hit harder than the slap that followed.Elena Hart stood frozen at the altar, one hand still wrapped around the bouquet she had spent the morning trying not to crush.Across from her, Daniel Reed looked completely calm.He wasn't even ashamed.He simply reached for the microphone and repeated, loud enough for every guest in the ballroom to hear.“I’m sorry, Elena. I can’t marry you.”A murmur swept through the crowd.Elena slowly lowered the bouquet.“Why?”Daniel avoided her eyes.Then a woman in a white dress stepped out from the crowd.Elena's breath caught.The woman walked straight toward Daniel and slipped her hand into his.“She’s the reason,” Daniel said.Silence.Then someone gasped.Elena stared at the other woman.Her face was familiar.Very familiar.It was Sophia Bennett.Lucas Bennett’s younger sister.And she was wearing the diamond necklace Elena had given Daniel for his birthday.Elena looked at Daniel

“Lucas Bennett.”Elena stared at the photograph in the security officer's hand.“No,” she whispered.The officer nodded.“We found Mr. Bennett near the east gate. He was trying to leave the property.”Elena's heart slammed against her ribs.Lucas.Her childhood friend.The one person she had trusted after her father's death.The one person who had looked her in the eyes and promised that he would never abandon her.She turned toward Adrian.“You knew.”Adrian's expression was hard.“I suspected.”“You suspected Lucas stole your file?”“I suspected someone close to you did.”“Then why didn't you tell me?”“Because I didn't have proof.”Elena snatched the photograph from the officer.“Where is Lucas?”“Security has him downstairs.”She didn't wait.She rushed toward the hallway.“I'm coming with you,” Adrian said.“No.”Elena spun around.“This is my problem.”“It became my problem when you married me.”“I don't need you to protect me every second.”Adrian's eyes narrowed.“You don't un

“Adrian!”Elena heard her own scream before the gunshot stopped echoing.For one terrible second, there was nothing but darkness.Then emergency lights flickered on.Elena looked around wildly.Adrian was on one knee.Blood stained the sleeve of his shirt.“Adrian!”She rushed toward him.“Don't.”His voice was firm.“Stay back.”“But you're hurt!”“It's a graze.”He pressed one hand against his upper arm.“I'm fine.”Elena looked toward Victor.He was gone.The warehouse door stood open, moving slightly in the cold morning wind.“Where did he go?”Adrian stood.“Forget him.”“How can I forget him?”“He wanted us distracted.”Elena stared at him.“What?”Adrian looked around the warehouse.“Where's Daniel?”Elena froze.She turned.The spot where Daniel had fallen was empty.Her heart dropped.“He was here.”“I know.”“He was shot.”“I know.”“But he's gone.”Adrian's eyes narrowed.“Then someone took him.”Elena's hand closed around the memory card in her pocket.Victor's words retur

“Don't move!”Adrian's voice cut through the darkness.Elena froze.Richard lay on the floor somewhere near the library door. The smell of smoke from the gunshot filled the room.Then the emergency lights flickered on.Elena looked down.Richard was still breathing.“Grandfather!”Adrian rushed to him.Elena stood frozen, staring at the DNA report still clutched in her hand.Elena Hart. Adrian Blackwood. Biological relationship confirmed.Her vision blurred.No.It couldn't be true.Adrian looked up.“Call an ambulance.”A security guard grabbed his phone.Elena couldn't move.Adrian noticed.“Elena.”She stepped backward.“Don't.”His face tightened.“Listen to me.”“Don't come near me.”“Elena, that report—”“You knew.”“No.”“You knew!”“I didn't.”“You're lying!”Her voice broke.She threw the report onto the floor.“You knew there was a connection between us.”Adrian stared at the paper.“I knew nothing about this report.”“Then why was your name on it?”“I don't know.”“Why was

“Stop the car!”Elena's scream made Adrian slam on the brakes.The SUV stopped so suddenly that she was thrown against her seat belt.“What happened?”She pointed through the windshield.“Someone is following us.”Adrian looked into the rearview mirror.A black sedan sat several cars behind them.Its headlights were off.The road around them was almost empty.Adrian's expression hardened.“How long?”“I noticed it five minutes ago.”“You should have told me sooner.”“I wasn't sure.”Adrian reached for his phone.“Security.”Before he could make the call, the black sedan accelerated.Adrian immediately started the engine.“Hold on.”The SUV surged forward.Elena gripped the seat.“Are they following us?”“Yes.”“Where are we going?”“Somewhere they can't predict.”“You mean we're not going to Rosewood?”“Not yet.”“But my mother—”“Your mother is exactly why we can't drive straight there.”Elena looked at him.“You promised we'd find her.”“I will.”“And Daniel?”“We'll find him too.”