Chapter 3 - The Ghost of the Past
Elena was violently yanked upward, breaking the surface of the freezing water with a desperate, ragged gasp.
Strong arms dragged her completely out of the river and onto the hard fiberglass deck of a small speedboat.
She lay shivering uncontrollably, coughing up dark river water as the boat immediately sped away from the estate.
A thick, warm wool blanket was heavily draped over her trembling shoulders.
Elena slowly opened her stinging eyes to look at the mysterious stranger who had just saved her life.
He was an older man dressed in tactical black clothing, with sharp features and piercing, ice-blue eyes.
He expertly steered the boat through the dark, winding canals of the city, avoiding the police searchlights.
Elena choked out a weak word of gratitude, asking the man who he was and why he was there.
The older man killed the roaring engine, letting the small boat drift into the shadows of an abandoned dock.
He turned to face her, his expression a mask of cold, unyielding calculation.
He calmly introduced himself as Marcus Sterling.
Elena felt a massive jolt of shock rip through her entire body.
Marcus Sterling was Victoria's first husband, a man who had supposedly died in a tragic plane crash ten years ago.
Marcus explained that he had faked his own brutal death to escape Victoria's endless cycle of violence.
He had been secretly tracking her every move from the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
He reached into the pocket of his dark jacket and slowly opened his calloused hand.
Resting perfectly in the center of his palm was Elena's multimillion-dollar diamond engagement ring.
Elena begged him for the ring, crying that it was the only way to save Julian from a lifetime in prison.
Marcus coldly closed his fist around the diamond and slowly shook his head.
May you like
He stated that Julian must take the fall so that Victoria could finally understand true suffering.
He pulled a heavy silver pistol from his waistband and aimed it directly at Elena's chest.
