Dust swirled along the dirt path, as if the entire town wanted to warn Elena that something bad was about to unfold.
It was close to three in the afternoon, and the sun over Silver Creek Valley blazed down mercilessly, bleaching the hills in harsh white light. Elena walked slowly, a heavy bundle of wood tied across her back, one hand cradling her eight-month belly.
With the other, she held her worn shawl in place over her head. Each step sent a sharp ache through her spine, but she didn’t stop. There was no gas at home, and the baby she carried—or babies, since the local doctor suspected twins—wouldn’t wait for her to rest.
Then a truck appeared.
Black, polished, and out of place on that dusty road. It came to a sudden stop in front of her, sending a cloud of dirt into the air that stung her eyes and filled her mouth. The tinted window slid down, releasing a blast of cold air scented with leather, expensive cologne, and a life she had once believed would be hers.
Behind the wheel sat Victor.
Her ex-husband.
He wore a pale suit, a luxury watch gleaming on his wrist, dark sunglasses hiding his eyes. Everything about him spoke of wealth—but Elena knew too well what lay beneath it.