Chapter 1 - The Fallen Mask
The silence on the terrace was heavier than lead.
I stepped over the shattered glass of my son's orange juice, feeling the crunch beneath my muddy work boots.
Vanessa took a trembling step backward as I closed the distance between us.
"Evan," she whispered, her perfectly painted lips trembling in absolute terror.
The wealthy guests who had been sipping champagne just moments ago were now frozen in shock.
My eyes never left the woman who had just raised her hand to my flesh and blood.
I looked at Grace Miller, the new housekeeper, whose cheek was burning bright red from the slap meant for my daughter.
"Take the children inside, Grace," I said, my voice dangerously calm and quiet.
Grace nodded once, scooping Caleb into her arms and holding Sophie's hand as they retreated into the safety of the mansion.
Vanessa reached out to touch my arm, but I swatted her hand away as if it were a venomous snake.
"You were supposed to be in London," she stammered, frantically trying to adjust her ruined facade for the cameras.
"And you were supposed to be a mother to them," I replied, the coldness in my tone making the remaining guests shiver.
I signaled to the heavily armed guards stationed at the perimeter of the estate who were already rushing toward the terrace.
"Escort Miss Vale off my property immediately with nothing but the clothes on her back."
Vanessa's fear suddenly evaporated, replaced by a twisted, malicious smile that sent a chill down my spine.
"You think you've won just because you caught me playing the wicked stepmother, Evan?"
She leaned in close, lowering her voice so only I could hear over the panicked murmurs of the crowd.
"I wasn't punishing them for fun, I was interrogating them about the black ledger your late wife hid."
May you like
My heart stopped dead in my chest at the mention of that book.
"And I found it this morning, Evan, which means the Chicago syndicate already knows exactly where you sleep."
