onth

mp and parked in the private undergro

uthlessly crushing an internal rebellion within his family's overseas operations. The constant adren

image floated into his mind. He pictured Alaya sitting on the living room sofa, wearing he

doors chimed

s no warm light spilling from the living room. There wa

slapped the smart

massive living room. Hardy froze half

r. It was half empty. Every single pair of Alaya's h

ngs constricted, refusing to take in oxygen. He dropped h

le were gone. The custom throw pillows she loved were missing from th

ors of the master bedroom. He walked over to his bedside table. Th

cufflinks, was the massive diamond enga

d out and snatched the ring from the woode

o the vanity.

om their honeymoon was lyi

er. He stared at the image of his wife smiling brightly at the came

ving the miscarriage. He expected to come home to angry texts and demand

ut of his pocket. He hit

moved out?!" Hardy roared into the speak

omplete information blackout. The staff thought it was just a... a standa

tie and ripped it downward, gasping for air. His heart was

s number-the only number he had pinned

ted female voice filled his ear. "The number

d bloc

ew his cell phone onto the bed and lunged for the landline

ee times. T

rough the speaker. It was flat, dist

to force moisture back into his mouth. "Alaya.

pause on the line. Then

top pretending. My lawyers should h

ife twisting in his gut. His chest tightened so painfully

are you?" His voice was low and dangerous

ic

loudly in his ear. Sh

t his skin. He let out a low, guttural yell and sla

to a dozen pieces, raini

d and stared at the diamond ring resting on his palm. His fingers c

her from his enemies. But the cage was open, the bird was gone, and the realizati