The gunshot shattered the fragile elegance of the ballroom. For a moment, the world held its breath as the sound echoed, reverberating like a c***k of thunder. Time seemed to slow. The clink of glass, the gasps of horrified guests, the sharp scraping of chairs against marble—it all blended into an eerie hum in Ethan's ears.
Then his eyes found her.
Scarlett.
She stood frozen in the middle of the chaos, her crimson gown spreading like spilt ink across the pristine white marble. Her hand hovered over her abdomen where the bullet had struck, and the rich red of her dress darkened as her blood seeped into the fabric. Her wide eyes locked onto Ethan’s, confusion and disbelief flickering across her face.
And then she crumpled.
“Scarlett!” Ethan’s roar broke through the chaos. He shoved past
