Chapter 1 - The Broken Promise
Grace looked at him.
"Understand what?"
Lauren traced a manicured finger along the edge of the polished mahogany dining table.
"Ethan is filing for divorce tomorrow morning."
The words hung in the air right next to the flickering anniversary candles.
Grace did not gasp or cry or reach for her husband's arm.
She simply kept her hand pressed against her burning cheek where Ethan had struck her.
"And he is keeping the house," Lauren added with a triumphant smirk.
Ethan finally looked away from Grace, unable to meet the calm, terrifying emptiness in her eyes.
"It makes the most financial sense, Grace," he muttered weakly.
"Lauren has connections that are going to double the size of Walker Development by next quarter."
Grace slowly lowered her hand from her face.
The red mark on her pale skin was stark and violent.
"You built this company with my grandmother's money," Grace said softly.
Ethan's jaw clenched with defensive anger.
"I built this company with my own sweat and blood," he snapped.
Lauren wrapped her arms around Ethan's neck and kissed his cheek.
"She is just bitter because she knows she is being left behind," Lauren whispered loudly.
Grace looked down at the small cream-colored box resting near Ethan's dinner plate.
Inside was the ultrasound photograph of the child he would now never get to hold.
She took one step back, placing her hand protectively over her stomach.
"I asked you a simple question, Ethan," Grace said.
"Are you sleeping with her?"
Ethan let out a frustrated sigh and slammed his fist on the table.
"Yes, I am sleeping with her, and I am entirely done apologizing for it."
Grace nodded slowly, feeling the last remaining thread of her love for him snap completely.
"Then there is nothing left to say," she whispered.
Lauren laughed, picking up a crystal wine glass.
"Good, then you can pack your bags and leave tonight."
Suddenly, the heavy roar of multiple high-powered engines echoed through the quiet suburban street outside.
Headlights violently illuminated the front windows, casting long, menacing shadows across the dining room floor.
Ethan frowned and walked toward the window to see who was trespassing on his property.
Before he could pull the curtains back, the solid oak front door was kicked entirely off its hinges.
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The heavy wood crashed onto the hardwood floor with an explosive, deafening crack.
Three tall, imposing men stepped over the splintered wreckage and walked directly into the house.
