CHAPTER 1: THE WEDDING CRASHERS
The grand ballroom sparkled beneath crystal chandeliers as Los Angeles' elite gathered to celebrate Ryan Montgomery's wedding.
Vanessa stood at the altar in a designer gown worth more than most people's annual salaries. Ryan smiled confidently beside her.
Everything was perfect.
Until the doors opened.
A hush swept through the room.
Three children walked inside.
Two boys and a girl.
Each dressed elegantly.
Each carrying a small basket of white roses.
The guests smiled at first, assuming they were part of the ceremony.
Then the little girl stopped directly in front of Ryan.
Her large brown eyes locked onto his face.
"Daddy?"
The word echoed through the ballroom.
Ryan's smile disappeared.
Vanessa blinked.
"What did she just say?"
The room fell silent.
The oldest boy stepped forward and pulled a folded photograph from his pocket.
It was an old picture of Ryan and Mariana together.
"My mommy says this is you."
Gasps erupted around the room.
Ryan stared at the children.
The same dark eyes.
The same smile.
The same unmistakable features.
His knees nearly buckled.
"No..."
Then another voice came from the entrance.
A voice he had not heard in three years.
"Yes, Ryan."
Mariana stepped into the ballroom.
Every conversation stopped.
Every camera turned toward her.
She looked nothing like the broken woman he had thrown out.
She walked with confidence and elegance.
And beside her stood billionaire businessman Alexander Whitmore.
The entire room recognized him instantly.
Ryan felt cold.
May you like
Very cold.
Because suddenly he understood exactly who those children were.
