Page 8 of Masked Hearts

It’s a fairly large study—one that’s clearly a library, as well, by the amount of books lining the walls. It’s dark aside from the one large window behind the main desk in the room. Its large curtains barely let in any light and I get the feeling that may be their purpose. No light in, no light out. The smell of smoke pollutes the air, and with another exhale, the man in front of me shifts, drawing my eye towards him again.

“Now that you’ve calmed down and I have your attention, allow me to introduce myself.” He kills the cigarette in a shell-shaped ashtray.

“I am Gabriel Auclair, the leader of the French cartel, and you and your brothers have heavily disgraced me with your recent actions.”

“Well, your brother was stalking and harassing my best friend.”

“Ahh yes, yourbest friend, my ex-sister-in-law, and apparently your new sister-in-law,” he jabs.

“And he threatened to kill my brother.” I skip over his statement.

“Hmm, but from what I understand, your brother is the one who drew his weapon first.”

I fall silent at his point. As much as I hate Mattheo for what he did to Valerie, I can’t lie that Ambrose wasn’t the one who pulled the weapon first.

“You’re so loyal to your little family. I find it quite cute considering how much pain both Ambrose and Valerie have brought you,” he starts.

I look down at my hands as they tremble against the tight restraints. Slightly cut and bruised from the fight I put up once I woke up from my little slumber.

“They honestly make an adorable couple. I should send them an engagement gift.”

My eyes flash up to him. “What are you talking about?”

“You didn’t hear? They had their engagement party today. It’s probably why no one has noticed that you’re missing from your little island holiday yet.” He stands and starts pacing behind the desk. “What a shame, I left them such a cute note, too.”

No. This can’t be real.

My entire body is shaking now. “You’re lying,” is all I manage to grumble.

As selfish as Ambrose is, he'd never go this far. He’d never purposely exclude me from something like this.

“Oh, what a shame.” He fakes a pout and walks towards me.

As he steps closer, I can take in more of his features. His sharp nose is the main feature I notice before taking in just how old he looks. He looks like he could easily be in his late sixties by his nearly full grey beard, which is a stark contrast to his skin. The greys highlight the reddish-orange hues of his brown skin. His hair, although quite short, is a similar grey colour made up of soft curls.

“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to show you.” He extends his phone screen out towards my face and presses play on a video.

My heart shatters as I watch the scene unfold in front of me. Valerie and Ambrose stand in front of a huge crowd in the backyard of our villa. A crowd that not only includes Valerie’s family and friends, but also includes my brothers,Mamá,and even Kaia.

“We gathered you all here for a very special announcement,” Ambrose says as he beams down at Valerie, who looks up at him as if he put the stars in the goddamn sky. She’s wearing a floor-length pink sundress—looking as beautiful as ever.

“We’re engaged!” She holds up her left hand, putting the giant diamond ring on display for the whole crowd to see before Ambrose pulls her into his side.

My eyes burn, tears prickling at the brim of them, but I can’t bring myself to look away. It’s almost torturous, the way I can’t stop staring at how happy they look. Especially the way everyone is celebrating them, all while I’m here. All while I’ve been stuck on a fucking island for the last three months.

Ambrose’s name flashes across the screen, and Gabriel whips it away.

I blink back the tears and look at the bookcase, trying to not let my emotions fully flood to the surface.

“It took you long enough. I was starting to worry you’d miss my note,” Gabriel says. I can feel his gaze on me as I try to stifle back my tears and regain my composure.

He actually did it. They did it. And no one even tried to call to let me know.

“Sure, you can speak to him—but I’m not so sure he wants to speak to you,” Gabriel says, and my eyes widen as I look up at him.

He clicks the phone over to the speaker.

“Antonio?” Ambrose’s voice echoes through the room and I’m in two minds about answering. Maybe I should let him think I’m dead, or worse, that I’m just missing and he has no way of finding me. Then he’ll be able to go on pretending I don’t exist.

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