LOGINClara’s POVI moved forward slowly with my hands raised. My heart was beating so fast, but I forced myself to stay calm.“Let her go, Leonard,” I said. “Take me instead.”He looked at me for a long moment. I could see him thinking about it.“You’d give yourself up for her?” he asked.“She did the same for me,” I replied. “Now it’s my turn.”He didn’t answer right away. Anita looked at me with fear in her eyes.“Clara, no,” she whispered. “Please don’t do this.”“It’s okay, Anita,” I said softly. “I’ll be okay.”Leonard lowered the gun a little and nodded at me.“Come here,” he said. “Slowly.”“Put the gun away first.” I said quietly.“You don't have a say in what I do or not.”“You're scaring me Leo. Please just put it away.”“Are you coming or not?” He said putting his finger on the trigger this time.“Fine, fine I will.”I walked toward him. My legs were shaking, but I kept going. I couldn’t stop now.When I got close, Leonard reached out with his free hand.Then Anita made her move
Leonard’s POVI stood at the altar with my head held high. Pride filled my chest as I looked around the church. It looked just the way I wanted. White and gold flowers decorated every row, and every seat was filled with guests. They had all come to watch me finally get what I wanted.I looked around one last time, searching the crowd for Damon.He wasn’t there.A small smile crossed my face.He couldn’t even stay to watch me marry her. That was just like Damon. Always running away.The big doors of the church opened and Clara was right at the entrance looking stunning in her white dress. I had dreamed of this day for a long time and I still couldn't believe it was already happening.All the guests stood in honor as she slowly approached the altar.The diamonds on her dress gleamed under the light coming in through the window. I had picked out the wedding gown by myself because I wanted her to look the way she does right now. A feeling I could best describe as bliss filled my body as
Clara’s POVI sat inside the closet and listened attentively. The whole house was silent.The coast was clear.I opened the closet door very carefully and looked around the empty bedroom. My hands trembled as I stood up. I was still dressed in the simple outfit that Anita provided me before getting into the wedding dress. The small paper with the address was still in my hand.I opened the bedroom door quietly and stepped outside carefully. Then I moved silently down the stairs until I heard Marcus and Victor whispering somewhere in the living room.I held my breath and continued moving forward till the back door. I turned the doorknob carefully.It was unlocked.I went out and inhaled the fresh morning air.I’m out. I made it.I began running without looking back.After reaching the main road, my chest was aching from the run and my legs felt numb. I waved at a taxi and waited until it stopped.“Where to, ma’am?” the driver asked.I handed the paper to him. “Please, take me here.”He
Clara’s POVI sat inside the closet and listened attentively. The whole house was silent.The coast was clear.I opened the closet door very carefully and looked around the empty bedroom. My hands trembled as I stood up. I was still dressed in the simple outfit that Anita provided me before getting into the wedding dress. The small paper with the address was still in my hand.I opened the bedroom door quietly and stepped outside carefully. Then I moved silently down the stairs until I heard Marcus and Victor whispering somewhere in the living room.I held my breath and continued moving forward till the back door. I turned the doorknob carefully.It was unlocked.I went out and inhaled the fresh morning air.I’m out. I made it.I began running without looking back.After reaching the main road, my chest was aching from the run and my legs felt numb. I waved at a taxi and waited until it stopped.“Where to, ma’am?” the driver asked.I handed the paper to him. “Please, take me here.”He
Anita’s POVI stepped out of the bathroom and dried myself. After looking at my reflection in the mirror, I changed into simple clothes.This is it. There’s no turning back now.I took a deep breath and walked into the hallway.Marcus was standing outside Clara’s room with his arms crossed. He watched everything carefully. I walked up to him and tried to keep my voice calm.“Marcus, I need you to get something for the makeup artist,” I said. “She forgot something important for Clara’s makeup.”He frowned. “The makeup artist wouldn’t forget anything. She’s been doing this for years.”A voice came from inside the room.“Actually, I do need it. I can’t finish without it.”My heart jumped. That was the signal we had planned.Marcus let out a sigh and looked at me.“Fine. What do you need?”I gave him a long list of things. I named special brands, rare colors, and even a few items that would be hard to find.“This is going to take a while,” he muttered.“I’ll wait here,” I said.He walked
Clara’s POVI sat on the edge of my bed and stared at the wall in front of me. For hours. My face was pale. My eyes were blank and tired.Tomorrow, I will become his wife. Tomorrow, I will lose everything.The door creaked open. Anita entered quietly.“Clara? Are you still awake?”I didn’t turn to look at her.“I can’t sleep,” I said. “I don’t think I’ll ever sleep again.”She sat next to me on the bed and looked at my face for a couple of seconds..“You look pale,” she said. “And you haven’t eaten a thing all day.”“I’m not hungry.”She held my hands in hers.“Why are you so sad?”I let out a sarcastic laugh.“Why am I sad?” I said. “I’m a prisoner in my own home. I haven’t left in two days. My son is somewhere, and I don’t know where. The man I love thinks that I shoved him away on purpose. And tomorrow, I’m marrying the man who caused all this.”I couldn’t hold back the tears in my throat.“I don’t have any way of finding Maurice,” I said. “The signal is cut off. I can’t call Damon
Damon’s POV “You’re pathetic,” Camilla spat again, her eyes blazing. “I always knew there was something between the two of you.”“It’s not what you think—” “Shut up, Damon,” she cut in sharply. “Why were you trying to kiss her in that elevator?” Seconds dragged. I said nothing. She let out a h
Clara’s POVThe elevator dinged, opening to the hallway that led to my hotel room.“I love the way you handled everything, Clara,” Desmond said as we stepped out and made our way down the corridor.I paused, resting a hand on his shoulder. “It wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thank you.”“
Damon’s POV My words hung in the air, but for some reason Camilla didn’t look surprised— at least not the way I had expected.She let out a soft breath, the wooden spoon in her hand paused mid-air. Her gaze locked with mine, her expression guarded and unreadable like there was something waiting t
Damon’s POV My fingers tightened around the phone as his words echoed in my head. The secret your wife has been keeping from you? For a moment, I said nothing, my mind struggling to catch up with what I had just heard. “Secret? What the hell are you talking about?” I finally demanded, my voi







