Chapter 3 - The Assassin's Shadow
I pressed my back flat against the cold marble wall of the hallway.
My heart hammered violently against my ribs as I processed her terrifying words.
Lauren knew exactly where I had been hiding.
She had actively hired a professional assassin to eliminate me and my newborn baby.
I tightly gripped the handle of the stroller, ready to run at the slightest sound.
The door to the bridal suite suddenly creaked open.
I held my breath and prayed to God they would not look in my direction.
Julian stepped out of the room, straightening his expensive silk tie.
My corrupt former lawyer had been the one inside the room with the bride.
He whispered to Lauren that the assassin would finish the job before the reception started.
He smoothly walked down the corridor toward the main ballroom, completely unaware of my presence.
I felt a fiery rage entirely consume the lingering fear in my soul.
They were planning to murder my innocent child to protect their stolen fortune.
I tapped the tiny earpiece hidden beneath my hair.
I quietly told Marcus that Julian and Lauren had ordered a hit on me.
Marcus cursed through the radio and told me to get out of the building immediately.
I firmly refused to leave.
I told him I was going to expose them all in front of their dangerous syndicate bosses.
I adjusted my emerald dress and pushed the stroller proudly into the crowded ballroom.
Heads turned and whispers erupted as the guests recognized the disgraced ex-wife.
I kept my chin incredibly high and walked with absolute, unshakeable confidence.
I spotted Ryan's mother, Sylvia, sipping champagne near the massive ice sculpture.
She nearly dropped her crystal glass when she saw me approaching her table.
Her face twisted into a mask of pure, unadulterated disgust.
She loudly asked how a barren failure like me dared to show my face here.
I smiled sweetly and complimented her on the extravagant wedding decorations.
I asked her if the flowers were paid for by the money she stole from my grandmother.
Sylvia's arrogant expression instantly shattered into a look of sheer panic.
She grabbed my arm and violently pulled me into a secluded alcove behind a velvet curtain.
She demanded to know what I was talking about.
I calmly listed the exact bank account numbers and routing codes from my leather folder.
I told her I knew she was the original mastermind who brought Lauren into Ryan's life.
Sylvia let out a vicious, venomous laugh that echoed in the tiny space.
She admitted she had orchestrated the entire affair because my inheritance was not enough to save their failing business.
She proudly confessed that she had sold Ryan to the syndicate to pay off a massive family debt.
Before I could record her confession, a heavy hand roughly grabbed my shoulder from behind.
I spun around and came face to face with a massive man wearing a tactical vest beneath his tuxedo.
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He pulled a suppressed handgun from his jacket and aimed it directly at my chest.
He smiled coldly and told me the assassin did not have to go to the hospital after all.
