Chapter 1

Inside a magnificent ballroom, glasses clicked and voices chatted slowly.

Elena was standing at the edge of the crowd like a hawk. She watched her husband accept congratulations from admirers. He looked so handsome in his tailored suit, so confident. Pride swelled in her chest despite the ache she was feeling.

She approached him, keeping her voice soft. "Congratulations, honey. I'm so proud of everything you've accomplished."

Aaron's smile vanished. He grabbed her elbow and pulled her aside, his fingers digging in hard enough to bruise.

"Don't call me that," he hissed, his eyes darting around nervously. "Don't call me honey in public. Someone might hear you and know that we are married."

The words were knives cutting her heart.

"But I am your wife"

"Not here you're not." His tone was final and cold. "Do you understand? No one can know."

Elena nodded, blinking back tears. She understood perfectly. She was his hidden wife that no one was supposed to know about. But that broke Elena.

She desired to be by his side and be recognized as Mrs. Aaron Walton.

"I understand," she whispered.

He released her arm and straightened his tie, his charming smile snapping back into place as he saw someone important approaching. He walked away without another word, leaving her standing alone.

Elena wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly cold despite the warmth of the crowded ballroom. She should leave. She should have never come.

"Aaron."

That voice. Sweet and venomous.

Elena turned to find the sensational Tiffani Cavalli, a business woman as well, wearing a red dress that probably cost more than Elena's yearly allowance. Her perfectly glossed lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Tiffani moved past her, heading straight for Aaron. Elena watched as she whispered in his ear, her hand resting possessively on his arm. She saw the way Aaron's expression darkened, the way his gaze snapped to her.

He excused himself and crossed the room in long strides.

"Elena, what are you still doing here?"

"I... I thought I should be here to support you."

"I didn't ask you to come." His voice was low, but the irritation was unmistakable. "You should go home. This isn't the place for you."

"Aaron, please,"

"Go home, Elena." He wasn't even looking at her anymore. His eyes tracked back to Tiffani Cavalli. "I'll see you later."

The dismissal was absolute.

Elena's throat tightened. She nodded, not trusting her voice, and turned toward the exit. Each step felt heavier than the last. Around her, people laughed and clinked glasses, celebrating success and wealth and connections. Things she would never be part of.

She was almost to the door when she heard Tiffani's laugh ring out behind her.

"Oh, excuse me!"

Elena turned just in time to see the waiter stumbling forward, his tray of red wine falling too fast for her to dodge. It soaked through her dress, dripping down her face and arms. The tray clattered to the floor.

A cruel, mocking laughter erupted around Elena. People began taking pictures and making videos of it.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" the waiter stammered, his face pale with horror. "I didn't see you."

Around the room Tiffani had a wide smile.

"How clumsy," Tiffani cooed loudly. "Someone should really watch where they're going."

Elena stood there, dripping and humiliated, feeling every eye in the room on her.

She searched Aaron' s eyes. She already knew he wouldn't defend her. He'd probably be mortified that his secret wife was causing a scene.

She pushed through the crowd, ignoring the whispers, and burst through the hotel doors into the cool night air. Her heels clicked frantically against the pavement as she fled down the steps, not stopping until she reached the sidewalk.

Only then did she let the tears fall endlessly.

Three years of being hidden, of being treated like she didn't matter. And for what? For love? He didn't love her. He was ashamed of her.

Her phone rang, the sound jarring in the quiet night.

Elena pulled it from her purse with shaking hands

"Hello" Her voice cracked.

"I have news about your family."

She froze.

Some months back she registered on a website that helps unite missing family members. There were a lot of testimonials concerning the site. When Elena signed up she wasn't expecting anything positive.

"My family?"

The phone almost slipped from her hands.

Four black luxurious cars pulled up in front of the hotel in perfect synchronization. The doors opened, and four men stepped out surrounding Elena in a protective semicircle. The streetlights illuminated their faces, and Elena's heart skipped a beat.

They were stunning. All of them. Tall, impeccably dressed, with features that could have been carved from marble. But it wasn't their looks that made her freeze.

The Andersons brothers. A wealthy and powerful family.

"Elena," the tallest one said, and his voice was deep with emotion. "We've been looking for you for so long."

"Who are you?"

"We are your brothers and you are our lost baby sister.”