Chapter 8 - The Gala
Elena kept her devastating secret locked tightly in her heart.
Over the next two weeks, she threw herself entirely into mothering the four children.
She helped Mason with his homework, earning a genuine, unforced smile from the teenager.
She braided Claire's hair, read Noah to sleep, and held Lily when she woke from nightmares.
One evening, while baking cookies, Noah looked up at her with his big brown eyes.
"I love you, Mom," the little boy whispered softly.
Elena burst into happy tears, holding the child tightly against her chest.
She had finally found the family she thought she would never have.
That weekend, Adrian insisted they attend the annual Syndicate Gala in downtown Chicago.
He bought her a stunning, blood-red silk gown and a necklace of flawless diamonds.
When they walked into the massive ballroom, every eye in the criminal underworld turned to them.
Adrian held her waist possessively, declaring to the entire room that she was his queen.
He danced with her under the crystal chandelier, his gaze filled with dark, intoxicating devotion.
Elena almost let herself believe that the nightmare was truly over.
Then Adrian was pulled away to speak with a group of Russian arms dealers.
Elena walked to the luxurious powder room to catch her breath.
As she washed her hands, the heavy oak door locked behind her with a loud click.
Benny Carver stepped out from one of the bathroom stalls, holding a suppressed pistol.
He smiled his ugly, scar-faced smile and aimed the gun at her chest.
"You look beautiful tonight, Elena," Benny sneered.
Elena backed away, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs.
"Adrian will skin you alive for this," she warned him.
Benny laughed, a harsh, grating sound that echoed off the expensive tiles.
"Adrian is the reason I'm here, sweetheart."
"Did he ever tell you why his first wife really died?"
Elena froze, remembering the bloody note hidden in her closet.
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"He killed her," Benny whispered maliciously.
"Because she discovered that Adrian was the one who kidnapped those four kids from their real parents."
