I paced anxiously across the polished hardwood floors of Rosewood Haven, my phone


    clutched tightly in my hand. For the fifth time in an hour, I dialed Maxwell Chen''s number, only


    to be sent straight to voicemail again.


    "Maxwell, this is Victoria. Call me back immediately. I need to know where Ethan is."


    I ended the call with a frustrated tap, fighting the unfamiliar sensation of panic rising in my


    chest. This had never happened before. Maxwell always answered my calls, always responded


    to my messages. Something was wrong.


    After Matriarch Evelyn Stone''s death, I had put on my most convincing disy of grief. I''d


    offered to help Ethan with the funeral arrangements, wearing an appropriately somber


    expression while secretly relieved that the old woman was finally gone. Her constant


    disapproval had been a thorn in my side for years.


    But Ethan had refused my help. That was within my expectations-we weren''t officially together yet, so I had no legitimate status in handling family matters. I didn''t truly care about busying myself with the old woman''s affairs anyway. The matriarch wasn''t worthy of my time


    or attention.


    What I hadn''t expected was Ethan refusing to let Emma and me attend the funeral at all. Just because the matriarch disliked me. And now, I hadn''t seen Ethan since her death. The funeral


    was over, but he wouldn''t answer my calls.


    I''d sent countless messages expressing my "sadness" over Matriarch Stone''s passing, offeringfort and support. No response. I''d gone to his residence and to Stone Pack Enterprises.


    He wasn''t there.