Ch 3

Damon's luxurious black sedan came to a stop in front of the gates of Clara and Julian's house. The home Clara had once considered her sanctuary now looked like nothing more than an elegant prison, its walls burning her heart with bitter memories.

Damon stepped out first, opening the passenger door for Clara with effortless grace and quiet authority. Before she could step out, he gently caught her wrist and looked straight into her eyes.

"Remember, Clara. You don't have to beg that man for anything ever again." His voice was calm, yet it carried a quiet strength that settled deep within her. "If he gives you any trouble, I'll be right outside this door."

Clara gave a faint nod, gathering what little courage she had left before walking toward the front door.

The screech of another car's brakes shattered the silence behind them.

A red sports car came to an abrupt stop.

Julian had arrived.

He jumped out of the driver's seat, breathing heavily, his face twisted with equal parts anger and panic. His hostile glare landed on Damon before shifting to Clara.

"Clara! Where the hell have you been?!" Julian barked as he strode toward her. His face burned crimson—half from guilt disguised as anger, and half from jealousy at seeing his wife step out of another man's expensive car. "You ran out of my office, and now another man brings you home?!"

Clara froze.

She looked at her husband—the same man she had caught passionately embracing another woman on his desk only hours earlier—now acting as though he were the wronged party.

"I'm the one who should be asking you that, Julian," Clara said, her voice trembling though her eyes never left his. "What were you doing in your office today? With your secretary?"

Julian's expression faltered for the briefest moment, clearly caught off guard by the accusation. But his pride quickly took over.

"It was just a misunderstanding! I was under a lot of stress, and you..." He pointed accusingly at Clara, his voice rising. "You always frustrate me! You're not attractive anymore, Clara! You've completely let yourself go, and now you're blaming me because I looked for comfort somewhere else?!"

His words struck Clara like a physical blow.

The pain ran so deep that something inside her finally broke for good.

Her foolish hope.

Her guilt.

Her love for Julian.

All of it crumbled into nothing.

A heavy footstep sounded behind her.

Damon stepped forward, closing the distance until he stood beside Clara, his tall frame instinctively shielding her. His commanding presence immediately changed the atmosphere around them.

"Watch your mouth, Julian," Damon said evenly.

His voice was low, but the quiet menace beneath it was enough to send a chill down anyone's spine.

Julian looked Damon up and down, desperately trying to preserve his pride.

"Who the hell are you? This is between my wife and me! Get out of here before I call security!"

Damon let out a cold laugh.

It carried no humor—only utter contempt.

"Your wife?" Damon took a single step closer, lowering his gaze to meet Julian's with deadly calm. "A man who throws away a priceless jewel for trash has no right to call himself a husband. You never deserved her."

"Damon... that's enough," Clara interrupted softly.

She had no desire to watch the clash of two men's egos any longer. Exhaustion seeped through every part of her body.

She turned toward Julian one last time.

The wedding band on her finger suddenly felt unbearably heavy... and poisonous.

Slowly, deliberately, Clara slipped the gold ring from her finger.

"Clara... what are you doing?!" Julian shouted, his eyes widening in shock.

She didn't answer.

She simply let the ring fall from her fingertips.

It struck the porch floor with a soft metallic clang before rolling to a stop near Julian's feet.

"Our marriage is over, Julian," Clara said firmly.

There were no tears left on her face.

"I will never beg for your love again."