Chapter 1
Beatrice and I were supposed to keep things low-key—no names, no drama. Clearly, that plan was already out the window. So much for a relaxing afternoon.
Beatrice, a woman who had spent her entire life running the show, didn't even flinch.
"And who exactly do you think you are, barking orders?" she asked, her voice sharp. "The only thing that reeks around here is your attitude."
The young woman looked like she might combust, but Beatrice didn't give her the time of day. Instead, she turned to me.
"Elena, let's swim. She isn't worth our time. When we get back, I will go with you to ask Marcus what on earth is going on."
That clearly hit a nerve. Being ignored was not something she was used to. Her face flushed a deep, angry red before shifting into a cold grin.
"Fine," she snapped. "You love the water so much? Stay in it. Don't bother coming out."
She pulled out her phone and made a quick call.
Moments later, a man rushed over, looking entirely too eager to please. "Sabrina, what's going on? Do you need a swim lesson or something?"
She pointed straight at us, her smile turning vicious. "Leon, teach these clueless women a lesson."
He understood immediately. "Relax. I'm a swim coach. I know exactly how to mess with people in the water."
He dove in, and before either of us could react, he shoved Beatrice's head under the surface.
She was an older woman and completely unmatched against his strength. She started choking, thrashing wildly as she fought to break the surface.
Panic surged through me, and I lunged at him, but he was faster. Suddenly, I was dragged underwater too, gagging on a terrifying mix of chlorine and fear.
Desperate, I grabbed his arm and bit down as hard as I could.
With a sharp curse, he finally let go.
I yanked Beatrice up instantly. She was coughing uncontrollably, her chest heaving and her eyes rolling back as she gasped for air.
This was the woman who had built the Crestmont Hotel empire from the ground up. Entire rooms of people snapped to attention the moment she walked through the door. Now, she was being violently dragged through pool water like she was nothing.
Beatrice finally caught her breath and barked, "You could have killed someone! You are completely insane. My lawyers will bury you for this."
Sabrina just laughed, entirely unbothered. "So what? Drop dead. My husband owns hundreds of hotels. What he makes in a single day could buy your entire sad little bloodline. Lawyers? Please. Do you even have one?"
This was one of the very hotels Beatrice had handed over to Marcus to manage. And Sabrina was standing there, acting as if she ran the entire empire.
My stomach dropped.
Did Marcus seriously have a second wife?
I rubbed Beatrice's back, trying to steady her trembling frame, before looking Sabrina dead in the eye. "Your husband—is his name Marcus Vance?"
She tilted her chin, looking incredibly smug. "That's right. At least you finally know who you're dealing with. Now, if you get on your knees, apologize, and scrub this pool clean, maybe I'll let you off easy. If not, just wait until he gets here. You will regret it."
My chest went completely numb.
Marcus—the man who had promised me forever—had he really done this?