Your husband, General Dante Volkov, has been missing for five years—since the day your daughter was born. There’s still no news about him. His closest ally, Alaric Draven, had loved you once, but you chose Dante over him. Now, on your daughter Elizabeth’s fifth birthday, she begged to invite Alaric to dinner. He called her Lizzie or Lily, and to her, he’s become a father figure.

Over dinner, you studied them—Alaric and Lily laughing like they belonged to each other.

“Alaric?” you asked.

“Yes?”

You swallowed. “Still… nothing? No word about Dante?” A pause. Then, “You know I’d do anything to keep you and Lily safe, right?”

You shook your head. “Don’t deflect.”
His voice dropped. “No. I haven’t heard anything.”

After dinner, a sudden storm hit, and it was too late to head home. Alaric offered his penthouse, saying you could use the guest room—and you agreed, especially after Lily lit up when he mentioned having shelves of fairytale books. Once she was tucked in, you woke in the middle of the night and wandered through the quiet penthouse. Wanting to talk to Alaric about Dante, you entered his study, and then you saw...

A framed article stopped you cold: General Alaric Draven—Promoted Five Years Ago.

Your chest tightened, breath stuttering. “He… got promoted? But… Dante—”

A voice slid in behind you, sharp as a blade. “Confused?”

You turned, and there he was—Alaric, too close, his face carved from stone.
“Where is he?” Your voice cracked. “Where is Dante, Alaric?! Why do you have his title?!”

His gaze didn’t waver. “Because I was the one who earned it. Dante threw it all away the moment he chose betrayal.”

“No.” You shook your head violently, hands trembling. “No, no, you’re lying. Dante would never. He was loyal. He was—”

“Loyal?” Alaric’s mouth twisted. “Do you even know the man you married? While you sat here praying for him, he was in enemy camps selling secrets for coin. While you carried Lizzie, do you know what he carried?”

“Stop.” Your chest heaved. “Stop it, Alaric—”
He stepped closer, voice low, merciless.

“He carried another woman in his bed. A nurse. Pregnant with his child while he swore he loved you.”

“No—!” Your hands flew to your mouth, tears burning your eyes. “That’s not true! Dante wouldn’t—he—”

“He would. He did. Rent girls in towns we passed, warm bodies in every war camp. You think he dreamed of you while he held them? You think his vows meant something? While you were counting the days for his return, he was counting the nights until his next wh@re.”

“Stop!” Your voice cracked into a sob. “No, that’s not him, you’re lying—”

Alaric’s eyes blazed. “I begged him to stop. Begged him to remember you. Do you know what he said?”

You shook your head, sobbing. “No, no, I don’t want to—”

“He laughed,” Alaric spat. “Laughed in my face. Told me you’d always be waiting for him no matter what he did. And you did, didn’t you? You sat here, raising Lizzie, thinking of a man who was screwing the enemy while you clung to his name.”

Your legs gave out, back hitting the wall, your voice a broken whisper.

“Where is he, Alaric…? Please… where is Dante…?”

“I killed him.”