Chapter 1

The Ritz-Carlton

Isabella Montgomery moved heavily down the grand hallway, her swollen belly leading the way. Her eyes scanned the opulent ballroom, searching desperately for one face among the glittering crowd.

Today should have been her engagement celebration. The day she would promise forever to Alexander Whitmore. Yet the ceremony was minutes from starting, and her fiancé remained conspicuously absent.

A familiar feminine laugh echoed from the secluded staircase alcove. Isabella froze mid-step.

"Alexander, my love, are you certain about marrying that adopted girl? Especially when she's carrying another man's child?"

Isabella's blood ran cold. She knew that voice. Victoria Kensington—her beloved older sister.

Alexander's low chuckle followed. "Of course I know. I was in the hotel suite next door when it happened. If she ever discovered you arranged that entire assault, she'd never have signed over those fifteen percent shares."

Isabella's hand flew to her mouth. No. This couldn't be real.

Victoria's petulant whine carried clearly. "It's not fair! Why did Grandfather Theodore give her company shares? She's not even a real Montgomery!"

"Darling, don't fret," Alexander soothed. "The moment your mother switched you at birth, you became the true heiress. Isabella is common and plain. I'd never choose her over you. Once I control her shares, I'll discard her and give you the grand engagement you deserve."

The truth struck Isabella like a physical blow. The child she carried wasn't Alexander's. Her entire identity had been stolen. The sister she adored had orchestrated her ruin.

Memories flooded her—Victoria encouraging her to skip studies, to embrace frivolity. All while Isabella gifted her sister every opportunity Grandfather provided, including the coveted study abroad program.

Eighteen years of lies. Alexander had known everything. Participated in it.

A choked sob escaped her. Her stumbling retreat knocked over a crystal vase.

The shattering glass startled the embracing couple. They whirled toward the sound.

"Isabella!" Alexander's face contorted in annoyance. "What are you doing here?"

Victoria hastily adjusted her dress. "Sweetheart, this isn't what it looks like! We were just—"

"Spare me your lies!" Isabella spat. "You love my shares! My inheritance! Not me!" She turned toward the grand staircase. "I'll tell everyone the truth! Let all of Westchester know what vipers you are!"

Alexander grabbed her wrist painfully. "Don't you dare cause a scene! Remember your condition! Without your shares, you're nothing! No one wants a pregnant teenager!"

He was right. She was only eighteen. Her university dreams died the night Victoria destroyed her. This engagement became her only option. Now even that was a grotesque lie.

"I'd rather die alone than spend another moment with you!" She wrenched free and fled toward the ballroom.

Panic flashed across Victoria's face. If Isabella reached the guests below, everything would unravel.

"Isabella, wait!" Victoria lunged, pretending to grasp her sister's arm. Instead, she shoved hard.

Isabella cried out as she tumbled down the marble stairs. Her body slammed against the balustrade. Warm blood instantly soaked her white gown.

"Alexander! What have I done?" Victoria whimpered, though her eyes remained dry. "I only meant to stop her!"

"Quiet! She brought this on herself!" Alexander descended with brutal efficiency. He glared at Isabella's crumpled form. Then he kicked her swollen abdomen. Once. Twice. Three times.

Agony ripped through her. This was the boy she'd grown up with. The man who'd sworn to protect her. How could he be so monstrous?

Crimson pooled around her, staining the pristine marble.

Darkness swallowed her screams.