Chapter 4 - The Ghost in the Marble
The moment the name left the child's lips, Roman Carter went completely, unnatural ly still.
It was as if the temperature in the marble lobby had dropped thirty degrees in a single second. The subtle, controlled breathing that characterized Roman’s formidable presence ceased entirely. His broad chest remained motionless beneath his black silk shirt. His hands, which had been resting casually near his knees as he crouched, slowly closed into tight fists.
Behind him, Daniel Hayes was watching Roman’s posture with trained precision. Daniel had served at Roman’s side for over fifteen years. He had seen Roman navigate high-stakes territory disputes, federal indictments, and armed confrontations without ever losing his icy composure. But as the name Elise Mercer echoed softly beneath the high ceilings, Daniel saw a visible, undeniable shock break through his boss's impenetrable exterior.
For a long, agonizing moment, Roman said nothing. The name seemed to physically lift him out of the present moment, dragging a long-buried ghost out of the dark corners of a past he had spent years attempting to seal away.
Elise.
It was a name that had not been spoken inside any property owned by the Carter family in over seven years. A name associated with a sudden, unexplained disappearance that had left scars across the Carter hierarchy and altered the trajectory of Roman’s life.
Daniel stepped forward instantly, his shoes making no sound on the polished floor. He reached Roman’s side, leaning down slightly, his voice a low, urgent murmur.
May you like
“Boss?”
Roman did not turn his head. His eyes remained locked on the child, though his focus was thousands of miles away, lost in memories of a woman who had vanished without a trace, leaving behind unanswered questions, broken promises, and an open wound that time had failed to heal.
