Chapter 1: The Gates
By the time my husband reached the gates, I was eight months pregnant, barefoot in freezing rain, and nearly bald because his mother had ordered my hair hacked off inside the mansion. Every person under that roof had watched in silence, but none of them knew what Roman Kane would do when he saw me.
The storm had swallowed Long Island in silver rain and low thunder. Water rushed across the Kane estate’s polished driveway, turning the place that usually impressed politicians, bankers, and dangerous men into a black river.
I stood in the middle of it wearing only a thin cream dress. Rain streamed over my bare scalp, down my trembling arms, and across the curve of my swollen belly.
No shoes. No coat. No umbrella.
Still, I refused to fall.
Both hands covered my stomach as I whispered to the daughter inside me, “We’re okay, baby. We’re okay.” My lips were numb, but I repeated it until the words almost sounded true.
Three miles away, Roman’s black sedan was racing toward the estate. His driver would later say that Roman’s silence frightened him more than rage ever could.
May you like
The message on Roman’s phone contained only four words.
Your wife is outside.
