Chapter 1
Chapter 1: The Fall
The mansion was buzzing with guests.
Under the massive crystal chandelier in the grand foyer, the family dinner was in full swing—flowing wine, fake laughs, and polite, empty chatter. From the outside, it looked like a picture-perfect picture of high society. No one would have guessed that in this house of gold and glass, death was waiting at the top of the stairs.
Valeria took a slow, agonizing step down.
She was seven months pregnant.
With one hand cradling her swollen belly and the other gripping the mahogany banister, she forced herself forward. Her face was pale, worn thin by weeks of cold shoulders, hushed insults, and frozen glares from her husband's family. But beneath the exhaustion, there was a spark of steel. Tonight was the end of it. Once dinner was over, she was going to confront her husband, Daniel, and leave this gilded cage forever. For her baby’s sake.
A few paces behind her walked Elena, the estate’s oldest housekeeper.
Elena was a quiet, observant older woman who moved like a shadow. In a house full of wolves, she was the only person Valeria actually trusted.
Halfway down the sweeping staircase, Elena glanced up toward the darkened second-floor balcony.
And froze.
Nearly hidden in the shadows between the grand columns stood Daniel.
But it wasn’t the cold sneer on his face that made Elena’s blood run cold.
It was what he was holding.
It wasn't a gun.
It was a heavy, military-grade hunting crossbow.
The string was pulled taut, locked, and loaded.
And the steel-tipped bolt was aimed directly at Valeria’s spine.
Elena didn't have time to think.
She didn't have time to explain.
She didn't even have time to scream.
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She did the only thing that could keep the young mother alive.
She shoved Valeria with all her might.
