ELLEN Things were a bit awkward for Oliver and me for the next two days. He did not allow me to stay in his room again and avoided me. I did not want to be near him too until the dinner party he was going to with me came up. Tony asked that I follow him to the dinner party and lead him exactly where he wanted. I did not know what to do. I was no murderer and could not let the man I had sex with a few days ago die like that. But I had Sophie to think about and I would do anything to save her. Oliver sent me a maxi, black, lacy gown that had a slit running up to my thigh. It was sleeveless and made me uncomfortable, but I had to dress for the occasion. I was here for a mission and I had to accomplish it. I did not wear much makeup. Since Tony told me that Pablo Moreno knew my makeup face, I had never taken chances. I do not wear makeup. I left Sophie at Lily's place with two of his men watching over her apartment. Lily did not entirely welcome the idea, but she did it for protection's

ELLEN Oliver had my heart beating and my head swirling with everything he did tonight. From the way he stared at me to the way he held me with dominance. I could not stop my heart from beating and feeling guilty about what would take place tonight. I still see other men look at me and I wondered just how good I looked in my dress. Oliver and I did not speak for a while after I asked him what he really did. I had to play the role of an inquisitive wife, too. People were enjoying themselves, looking cheerful and free. I saw Tony’s eyes on me. He was staring at us, unblinking, and not caring if he was seen or not. This guy was a psycho. Why does he keep staring at me? I was uncomfortable with his eyes on me. Oliver must have mistaken it for nervousness because he tried to boost my ego. I could not tell if he spoke for the show or if he was real. He sounded so genuine. I tried to focus on the rules we signed in the contract. I will not be the one to fall and break

ELLEN My body ached with pain. I opened my eyes and saw the hospital light. The memories of what happened flashed in my eyes. Oliver. Sophie. I tried to stand up but my side hurt so badly and I groaned. "Well, it's good that you are awake," a voice said. I looked by my side and saw Pablo Moreno sitting on a chair smiling at me. He held a magazine in his hand. A pit grew in my stomach. What was he doing here? Where is Oliver? Where is Lily? Where is everyone? Why am I waking up to see Pablo by my bedside? "What are you doing here?" I couldn't help but ask. He smiled and dropped the magazine. My heart thumped in my chest. This man could kill me here and no one would know about it. "How do you feel now?" he asked. "I do not feel good seeing you here." "You should not. Why did you take the blow for him?" I stared at him for a while. "It is none of your business. Please, do not interrogate me." "I know who you are, Elena Walte

ELLEN The door to the room opened and Oliver came in with Sophie tugging at his arm. "Momma!" she squealed and ran toward me. I spread my arms and welcomed her into my embrace. She pressed a little tight and it made my side hurt. I groaned and Oliver pulled her away. "You have to let go of mommy now if you do not want to hurt her," he said. I mouthed him a thank you and turned to Lily who sat on the couch in the room watching us as we spoke. My heart was thumping badly and I wondered how I will even get out of Oliver's sight without his notice. Our eyes met and locked for a while before he cleared his throat. I knew he has a tornado of words to say to me. Lily understood the tension between us. She stood to her feet. "Who wants some ice cream?" "I want some!" Sophie said. Lily beckoned to her to come. "Let's go and get some ice cream." "But I want to stay with mommy," Sophie whined. "Mommy is tired now and needs you to get her some

One year later... OLIVER I stood by the grave of my father. My eyes were hidden behind my dark shades. He had not been the best father to me, and I have wished him dead on several occasions. But now that he was actually gone, I realized I was not ready to lose him. I felt alone in this world and the whole Don thing is going to crash on me now. The voice of the priest sounded distant in my head as my eyes locked on a woman with blonde hair. She looked so familiar, and her back was to me because she was hugging a man. Ellen. I started to move but Dante held me back. “Where are you going?” he whispered. I did not reply. I stayed back, stuck my eyes on the woman, and waited for the priest’s speech to be over so that I can leave there and confront that woman. But she turned to face me, and I sighed in disappointment. She was not Ellen. How could they have the same structure? It has been a year since Ellen disappeared from me. I searched every