Chapter 52

—Ellie—

I sat in front of my vanity and brushed my hair, stroke after stroke, trying to find calm. I could hear the first guests downstairs, could hear laughter and music. I needed to go down. Taking a deep breath, I stood. I’d chosen a floor-length form-fitting dark blue dress matching the color of Mateo’s shirt.

I touched my stomach, still flat, but I knew in a few months I couldn’t wear dresses like this anymore. Tristan’s baby. I closed my eyes. I was happy and sad, terrified and hopeful.

What would Tristan say if he knew?

Would he care at all?

I had been a means to an end, a queen in his chess game, and he’d won. He had let me go as if I was nothing. I’d heard the rumors of his cage fights. He was back to fighting, back to living his life. I wondered if he’d already moved on to one of the many whores at his disposal? Probably.

I had been stupid. Mateo was right. Remo had twisted my mind so he could control me, a