Chapter 1 - TWO O’CLOCK
Julian’s shoe struck the center of my pregnant stomach before I could turn away.
The impact emptied my lungs.
I flew backward into the cake-and-gift table. Wood snapped beneath me. Wrapped boxes, crystal decorations, and white roses collapsed across the marble as I landed on my side with both arms around my belly.
Pain spread beneath my ribs.
For one terrifying second, my baby stopped moving.
“She’s carrying the real heir,” Julian said, drawing Chloe Mercer against him, “not that thing in your womb.”
The ballroom became silent.
Chloe stood in a fitted cocktail dress with one hand resting possessively on Julian’s arm. She wore the diamond bracelet he had told me was locked inside our home safe.
“Julian… why?”
He adjusted his cufflinks.
The same hands had fastened my necklace before the baby shower.
Arthur stepped forward, avoiding the broken cake stand as though the mess offended him more than the assault.
“Without this family, you’re nothing.”
Beatrice offered one small, deliberate clap.
Several guests looked horrified. None moved.
I pressed one palm to the marble and wiped blood from my lip with the other. My wristwatch had shattered beneath me. A crack split its black face, but the digital numbers still glowed.
1:59.
Julian noticed me checking it.
“What are you waiting for?”
I felt movement beneath my hand.
One weak roll.
Our baby was alive.
I pushed myself upright among the ruined presents. My ankle twisted beneath one heel, but I refused to fall again.
Chloe smirked.
“Do you finally understand?”
I looked at Julian.
“You really should have checked who you married.”
His confidence flickered.
The watch changed to 2:00.
The ballroom doors burst open.
Federal agents entered in dark jackets while uniformed officers secured the exits. Guests screamed and moved away from the walls.
The lead agent, Daniel Ross, raised his badge.
“No one leaves this room.”
Arthur’s face hardened.
“This is a private family event.”
“Not anymore.”
Two agents approached Julian. Another moved toward Arthur and Beatrice. Chloe stepped backward, clutching her handbag.
Daniel’s gaze found me on the floor.
Then he looked at my shattered watch.
“Signal confirmed.”
Julian turned toward me.
“What signal?”
I did not answer.
A cramp tightened across my abdomen.
Daniel called for the paramedics waiting outside.
As they rushed toward me, one agent opened the gift table’s fallen lower cabinet and removed a sealed black case that had not been part of the decorations.
Arthur stopped breathing.
Beatrice whispered, “That should not be here.”
May you like
I did not know what the case contained.
But Julian’s expression told me he believed I did.
