My parents raised me as a maid for 27 years and they didn't even invite me to my brother's wedding: "Get on black and help the staff," my mother ordered. I silently obeyed, until the bride's father saw my face, dropped his glass and asked me a question that terrified my entire family.

I stared at the crisp business card in my trembling hands.

The gold embossed letters clearly spelled out Alexander Vance's private cell number.

My heart hammered wildly against my ribs as I stood alone in the chaotic country club kitchen.

For twenty-seven years, I had been told my biological parents were nobodies who died in a meaningless car crash.

But the absolute terror on Richard Sterling’s face earlier told a completely different story.

I slipped the card into my apron pocket just as Beatrice burst through the swinging kitchen doors.

Her eyes were wide and frantic as she scanned the room.

"Get your things and go wait in the car immediately," she hissed at me.

"But the dessert service hasn't even started yet," I replied quietly.

"I said go to the car, Mariana," she snapped, grabbing my arm tight enough to leave dark bruises.

I nodded obediently and walked toward the back exit to avoid a public scene.

Instead of going to the parking lot, I slipped into the dimly lit coat room.

I pulled out my cheap prepaid phone and dialed the number on the card.

Alexander answered on the very first ring.

"I am waiting by the side garden gate," his raspy voice whispered.

I sneaked out through the patio, hiding in the deep shadows of the large oak trees.

Alexander was standing under a flickering street lamp, looking incredibly anxious.

"You have her exact eyes," he breathed as I cautiously approached him.

"Who are you talking about?" I asked, my voice shaking in the cold night air.

"My younger sister, Eleanor," he replied with fresh tears forming in his eyes.

I felt the ground completely vanish beneath my feet.

"The Sterlings told me my mother was a stranger who died in a terrible accident," I said.

Alexander shook his head slowly.

"Eleanor was the sole heir to our family's original real estate fortune, and she never died in a car crash."

Before he could explain anything else, a heavy hand violently clamped down on my shoulder from behind.

When my newborn 'passed away,' my mother-in-law leaned in and said

My Husband Left Me Alone in My Car While I Was in Labor

“You’re Dead When We Get Home,” He Snapped

I spun around and came face to face with Richard Sterling.

He was holding a suppressed handgun aimed directly at Alexander's chest.

Chapter 1 - The Garden Confrontation