Chapter 2 — The Man Everyone Thought Was Dead
Chapter 2 — The Man Everyone Thought Was Dead
The ballroom fell silent.
No music.
No whispers.
Only the low rumble of engines fading outside.
Damien Rowe stood beneath the towering entrance, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit beneath a long overcoat. Rain glistened on his shoulders. Behind him, more than twenty men spread across the room with disciplined precision.
Nobody reached for a weapon.
Nobody raised a voice.
They simply watched.
Damien's eyes never left Maren.
She lay curled on the marble floor, both arms wrapped around her pregnant belly.
A tear slipped down her cheek.
His face didn't change.
It became still.
Dangerously still.
He crossed the ballroom without hurry.
Every polished shoe echoed against the marble.
Students lowered their phones.
Parents stepped aside.
Teachers held their breath.
He knelt beside Maren.
His hand trembled only once as he brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"Maren."
Her eyes slowly opened.
For a long moment she simply stared.
"No..."
Her voice cracked.
"I buried you."
Damien swallowed.
"I know."
She reached toward him with shaking fingers.
He caught her hand before it could fall.
"I never stopped looking for you."
Fresh tears filled her eyes.
"You were alive..."
"I was."
She placed his hand against her stomach.
The baby kicked.
For the first time in years...
The feared crime boss completely forgot everyone else existed.
His eyes widened.
Another kick.
His jaw tightened.
"Our child?"
Maren nodded silently.
Damien closed his eyes for one brief second.
When he opened them again...
The warmth was gone.
Only ice remained.
He slowly stood.
Then turned toward the crowd.
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"Who did this?"
No one answered.
