Chapter 2

I took a deep breath and walked back into the party with a smile painted carefully across my face, pretending everything was still perfect—just for tonight. But in my heart, I had already left. The garden sparkled under warm lights. People danced, laughed, clinked glasses. It looked like a celebration—if only they knew what was underneath.

Alex found me almost immediately.

“There you are,” he said, placing a quick kiss on my cheek. “I’ve been looking all over for you. Where did you go?”

I smiled sweetly, tilting my head. “Bathroom. I needed to fix something.”

He raised an eyebrow. “I thought maybe you ditched your own party. Didn’t want the attention or something?”

“No,” I lied with a soft laugh. “It’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”

He grinned proudly and took my hand, leading me back toward a group of his friends gathered by the fountain. “Gentlemen,” he said, raising his glass, “can we toast to the woman who made me the luckiest man in the world?”

His friends cheered, lifted their glasses, and one of them even whistled.

“To Lindsey!” someone said.

Alex leaned in and kissed me again—slowly, deliberately, as if branding me in front of them. “Now drink,” he whispered. “Just one, babe. Come on.”

I hesitated. “Are you sure? You know I don’t drink. My tolerance is awful.”

He chuckled and nudged the flute into my hand. “It’s your birthday. If you get drunk, I’ll take care of you. Have you forgotten the last time?”

Of course I hadn’t. I had passed out during a charity dinner a year ago. I always thought it was just too much wine. But now I wondered. He had carried me to bed, undressed me, and kissed my forehead like a devoted husband.

How many times had I mistaken his control for care?

Still, I smiled and nodded. “Okay. Just this once.”

I raised the glass to my lips, tilted it—and let it slip through my fingers.

The crystal shattered on the stone patio, pieces scattering everywhere as the bubbly liquid soaked my dress and splashed onto the floor.

“Oh my God!” Paula screamed.

Alex’s sister was standing near me—and unfortunately, so was her wine-colored designer gown, now dripping with champagne.

I gasped, clutching my palm where a sharp piece had nicked me. “I’m so sorry—”

“You stupid—” Paula hissed, already drunk, her face red and furious. “What the hell are you doing?”

She lunged forward before anyone could stop her, yanking my hair hard enough to make me stumble.

Chapter 1

4:22 pm

“Paula!” Alex shouted.

“You ruined my dress!” she screamed. “You’ve always ruined everything!”

She shoved me hard, and I fell back against the table, pain shooting up my wrist. I tried to stand but was dizzy from the shock and sting of my injury.

“Get your hands off her!” Alex barked, stepping between us.

“It was an accident,” he snapped, trying to hold his sister back.

“An accident?” she spat. “She’s just stupid. You never should’ve married her! She seduced you! Everyone knows Sasha was your real love. She stole you from her!”

The words sliced through the air like glass. For a second, everything paused. People turned. The music faltered. My breath caught in my throat.

Alex clenched his jaw. “She’s drunk. Don’t mind her.”

“Don’t mind me?” Paula shouted. “You’re pathetic! And she’s a bitch!”

Alex waved the guards over. “Get her out of here,” he ordered. “Now.”

Two security men quickly grabbed Paula, who was still muttering curses and flailing as they pulled her away.

The moment she was gone, Alex turned to me.

His voice softened. “Linds, are you okay? Let me take you to the hospital.”

I winced as I glanced down at my bleeding palm. “It’s not too deep.”

He wrapped an arm around my waist, guiding me toward the exit—when his butler suddenly rushed in, pale-faced and breathless.

“Sir,” he said urgently, bending down to whisper something in Alex’s ear.

Alex’s entire demeanor changed in an instant. His eyes widened.

“What?” he barked.

“Miss Sasha was… kidnapped.”

Time stopped. My heartbeat thundered in my ears. Everything inside me froze as I watched Alex’s expression turn from concern to obsession. He looked panicked. Furious. Alive.

He let go of my waist without a second thought.

“Clear the car,” he told the butler. “Now. And call security. I want every camera pulled.”

“But—Alex—” I said, still bleeding, still dizzy.

He didn’t even look at me.

And just like that… he was gone.