A Broken Promise

a testament to the billions he had amassed. Yet tonight, the sprawling lights of his empire felt more like a cage. Ethan swirled the amber liq

d mahogany desk. The name on the screen froze him for a moment: Victor Hale. The name w

aid curtly, ans

laced with mockery. "I hear your

on the phone. "What a

led. "Elena Carter. She's back in town, and I must say, s

ears, but her name still carried the weight of his deepest regret. He closed

ame girl you left behind. And, if I were you, I'd tread

e down, his jaw clenched. Elena was back. And Victor knew it.

-

the edge of the room, her heart pounding as she surveyed the crowd. This was her night-her triumph. Five years ago, she had left this city brok

tron gushed, clutching a program that listed h

e smile. "Thank you.

. They told a story of betrayal and survival, of a love that had once burned brightly and then turned to ash. Sh

from behind her. A voice she hadn't

sibly handsome in a tailored black suit. His presence was magnetic, commanding the attentio

oice steady despite the

ive," he said, his tone measured, as if they

I'm surprised you're here. Art doe

nce she remembered so well. "I make

into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "B

rdened. "You're right

. "Why? So you can explain why you tore my life apart?

. "I made mistakes. I'm not here to justif

on of a few nearby guests. "Make things right? Et

uietly, and for a moment, she saw a

thing but anger. "Enjoy the exhibit, Ethan. But don't t

of the gallery. But as she moved through the crowd, her hands

-

Elena locked up and stepped into the cool night air. Her heels clicked against the pa

paused, her senses on high alert. "Who's there?"

le

spine. She wasn't easily spooked, but something about the stillness felt wr

ce murmured fr

one. All that remained was the faint echo of her name and th

Or was someone else