Chapter 2: One Step Back
Two security guards grabbed her arms and pulled her back.
But she fought them with everything she had.
"Let me go!
There's a child in there!
THERE'S A CHILD IN THAT CHEST!"
The ballroom erupted.
Guests shot to their feet.
Women covered their mouths.
Someone near the back fainted.
Victoria spun toward Alexander.
"What is she talking about?
Alex — what is she talking about?"
He still said nothing.
His eyes were locked on the chest.
One of the groomsmen stepped forward and grabbed Alexander's arm.
"Tell them to open it.
Right now.
Tell them."
Alexander finally moved — but not toward the chest.
He took one step back.
That single step told the room everything.
A guest near the front pulled out his phone and called emergency services.
The woman in the orange uniform collapsed to her knees, sobbing.
"She's been in there since last night.
He knows.
He put her in there.
Please — she's only six years old."
Victoria's bouquet slipped from her fingers and hit the floor.
She turned to the man she was about to marry.
"Alex." Her voice had dropped to a whisper.
"Who is this woman?"
May you like
He looked at her.
And for the first time all morning, Alexander Hayes had no answer.
