Chapter 1 - The Man Who Came Looking for Us
For the first time since waking up, I understood why Elias Vance had looked so worried.
It wasn't because my husband had abandoned me.
It wasn't even because two newborn babies had nearly frozen to death beneath a bridge.
It was because someone had discovered where we were.
I stared at Elias.
“What did you mean?”
He didn't answer immediately.
He handed the phone back to his guard.
“Lock down every entrance.”
The man nodded and disappeared.
I pushed myself upright.
“Elias.”
His eyes met mine.
“Your husband's name is Nathan Miller?”
I nodded.
“What does he want?”
Elias walked toward the window.
“He knows you're alive.”
My stomach twisted.
“How?”
“He has people watching the hospital.”
“This isn't a hospital.”
“No.”
“Then how did he find me?”
Elias turned around.
“Because he wasn't looking for you.”
I froze.
He glanced toward the nursery.
“He was looking for the girls.”
I felt every muscle in my body tense.
“No.”
Elias walked toward me.
“Why?”
I shook my head.
“I don't know.”
“Think.”
I closed my eyes.
Nathan had never cared about our daughters.
He had called them useless.
He had said they would consume money without giving him an heir.
He had blamed me for giving birth to girls.
But something about Elias's expression told me there was more.
“I don't understand.”
Elias sat beside the bed.
“When my men found your apartment, your husband was gone.”
I stared at him.
“What does that mean?”
“The apartment had been cleaned.”
A chill ran through me.
“Cleaned?”
“Professionally.”
My hands began shaking.
“Why?”
Elias leaned forward.
“Because someone wanted evidence removed.”
I remembered the night.
Nathan had screamed.
He had thrown things.
He had grabbed my arm.
But before leaving, he had stood strangely still.
At the time, I thought he was simply angry.
Now I remembered his words.
They'll come back for the babies.
I looked at Elias.
“Who are they?”
“I don't know yet.”
Then the nursery door opened.
A nurse rushed in.
“Boss.”
Elias stood immediately.
“What?”
“One of the babies is awake.”
I felt tears fill my eyes.
“Take me to her.”
The nurse hesitated.
“You're still weak.”
“I don't care.”
Elias looked at her.
“Take her.”
I followed them into the nursery.
My daughters were sleeping in two identical bassinets.
One had opened her eyes.
She looked so tiny.
So innocent.
I reached for her.
“Mommy's here.”
Her little fingers wrapped around mine.
I began crying.
Elias stood behind me.
He watched silently.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“What?”
A pause.
“Repeat that.”
Another pause.
Elias slowly looked toward me.
“Where?”
He ended the call.
I stared at him.
“What happened?”
His voice was cold.
“They found the person who ordered your husband's apartment cleaned.”
“Who?”
Elias looked at my daughters.
“Your father-in-law.”
My heart stopped.
“Nathan's father?”
“Yes.”
“Why would he care about the babies?”
Elias's jaw tightened.
“Because your daughters aren't ordinary.”
I frowned.
“What does that mean?”
He didn't answer.
Instead, he walked to the window.
“There is something your husband never told you.”
“What?”
Elias looked back at me.
“Your husband has been lying to you for years.”
I stared at him.
“About what?”
He took a folder from his coat.
Inside was a photograph.
A photograph of Nathan.
Standing beside three men I recognized.
My blood ran cold.
They were men from Elias's organization.
I looked at Elias.
“What is this?”
His voice became dangerously quiet.
“Your husband wasn't just a worthless man who abandoned his wife.”
May you like
“He was working for someone.”
“Someone who has been trying to destroy me for six years.”
