My family laughed when I arrived alone at my sister’s wedding, and my father made sure everyone heard him say, “She couldn’t even find a date.” A few minutes later, after he shoved me into the fountain and the applause finally faded, I looked him straight in the eye. “Remember this moment.” Because the secret I had protected for three years was already walking toward the ballroom doors.

The room erupted into total chaos as the tear gas quickly filled the space. I coughed violently, my eyes burning as I blindly reached out. Julian grabbed my hand, pulling me down to the floor to avoid the smoke. "Keep your head down!" he yelled over the sound of gunfire. Through the thick haze, I saw armed men in black tactical gear storming the room. They weren't police; they were Julian's private security team. They moved with terrifying precision, quickly disarming Thomas and my father. Graham screamed as he was slammed against the wall and handcuffed. Thomas fought back, but a swift blow from a rifle butt dropped him to his knees. Julian pulled me to my feet, wrapping his arm securely around my waist. "Are you hurt?" he asked, his eyes searching my face for any sign of injury. "I'm fine," I choked out, still coughing from the gas. Marcus, the head of security, stepped out of the smoke, his face grim. "The building is secure, Boss," Marcus reported, his voice crisp. "We have them both in custody." Julian nodded, his expression cold and calculating. He walked over to where my father was pinned against the wall. "Where is she, Graham?" Julian demanded, his voice low and dangerous. My father laughed, a pathetic, broken sound. "I'll never tell you," he spat, blood dripping from his lip. Julian didn't hesitate. He pulled a small, silver thumb drive from his pocket and held it up. "This contains every piece of evidence against you and Thomas," Julian said. "I'm sending it to the FBI in five seconds unless you give me a location." My father's eyes widened in genuine terror. "Okay, okay!" he screamed, his bravado instantly vanishing. "She's at the old sanitarium on the edge of the city." Julian nodded to Marcus, who quickly began dragging my father away. "Let's go," Julian said, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the door. "We're getting your mother." As we rushed toward the elevator, Julian's phone buzzed again. He looked at the screen, his face instantly draining of color. "Clara," he whispered, his voice trembling for the first time. "The sanitarium is on fire."