Chapter 2
The entire ballroom erupted into chaotic whispers as Ethan stared at the crest in his palm.
It was his grandfather’s signet ring, the exact piece of jewelry that had vanished four years ago.
The night Clara had supposedly passed away in a private clinic in Zurich, the ring had gone missing from her safe.
Ethan turned slowly to face Chloe, who was now clutching her blue bouquet so hard the stems were bending.
“You told me she died in her sleep,” Ethan said, standing up to his full six-foot-two height.
“You brought me her ashes in a silver urn three months later!”
“She did die!” Chloe shrieked, her voice cracking with pure, unadulterated panic.
“She was sick, Ethan! She was out of her mind and she abandoned you!”
“If she died four years ago, how is this child four years old?” Ethan countered, his math cutting through the noise.
Sarah stepped between Ethan and Chloe, holding up a second document from her apron.
“Clara didn’t die four years ago, Mr. Vance,” Sarah said, reading the header aloud.
“She was held in an unlisted psychiatric facility in upstate New York until six months ago.”
The guests began standing up on their chairs to see the paper in Sarah’s hand.
Reporters who had sneaked into the back of the venue began flashing their hidden cameras.
“Security! Clear the press!” Senator Montgomery screamed, waving his arms at the guards at the double doors.
None of the guards moved; they were on the Vance family payroll, not the Montgomerys’.
Ethan walked directly up to Chloe until the tip of his tuxedo jacket brushed her blue dress.
“Where is Clara?” Ethan demanded, his voice dangerously quiet.
Chloe’s fake confidence crumbled completely, leaving a desperate, cornered animal in her place.
“She’s gone, Ethan! It doesn't matter anymore! We were supposed to get married today!”
“The wedding is over,” Ethan said, taking off his boutonniere and dropping it onto the floor.
“Ethan, think about the merger! Think about your company’s stock!” Senator Montgomery shouted from the aisle.
“If you walk out now, Montgomery Global pulls out of the energy deal!”
Ethan didn't even look at the Senator.
He turned toward his daughter, kneeling down and extending both arms toward her.
“Lily,” Ethan said, tears finally welling in his eyes. “Come here, baby.”
The little girl looked at Sarah, who gave her a gentle, encouraging nod.
Lily took three tentative steps forward before launching herself into Ethan’s arms.
Ethan wrapped his arms around his daughter, holding her close as she buried her face in his neck.
May you like
“I’m taking her home,” Ethan announced to the room, turning toward the center aisle.
“And if anyone tries to stop me, you’ll be talking to the District Attorney by midnight.”
