Chapter 1 - The Phantom Wife
Julian stood frozen in the lavish lobby of the Grand Alcazar Hotel.
He could not tear his eyes away from the woman pushing the housekeeping cart.
It was undeniably Elena.
The woman he had married three years ago was now wearing a shapeless grey uniform.
Her beautiful hands were chapped and red from harsh chemical cleaners.
Camila tugged aggressively at his expensive tuxedo sleeve.
"Julian, you are making a massive scene in front of everyone," Camila hissed.
He completely ignored her.
He took a slow, trembling step toward the housekeeping cart.
"Elena, what is going on here?" he asked, his voice echoing in the silent foyer.
Elena did not look up at him.
She kept her eyes firmly fixed on the polished onyx floor.
"I apologize for the inconvenience, sir," she said in a mechanical, hollow tone.
"I will clear my cart from your path immediately."
She turned the heavy brass cart and began to walk quickly toward the staff elevators.
"Stop right there!" Julian shouted, ignoring the horrified gasps of the billionaire guests.
He lunged forward and grabbed her fragile wrist.
The moment his fingers touched her skin, she flinched as if she had been burned.
She finally looked up, and he saw the absolute terror swimming in her dark eyes.
She quickly pulled her hand away and wrapped her arms protectively over her swollen belly.
"Please, Julian, if you do this right now, they will kill him," she whispered so quietly that only he could hear.
Before he could process her terrifying words, a massive security guard stepped between them.
The guard placed a heavy hand on Julian's chest.
"Sir, you need to step back from the hotel staff," the guard ordered.
Julian recognized the man instantly.
It was Marcus, Camila's personal bodyguard.
"Get your hands off me before I buy this hotel and fire you," Julian growled.
Marcus did not flinch.
He casually unbuttoned his suit jacket, revealing the dark handle of a holstered firearm.
"I am afraid I cannot let you harass this woman, Mr. Rossi," Marcus said with a sickening smile.
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Julian watched in absolute shock as Marcus grabbed Elena by the arm and forcefully pulled her into the restricted staff elevator.
The heavy steel doors slid shut, separating Julian from his pregnant wife once again.
