One

Chapter 1

"Mr. Pendelton, I agree to marry you."

When Clara Alexandra made the call, the national entertainment news was broadcasting live footage of her boyfriend of eight years, Julian Maxwells, proposing to another woman.

She watched coldly on the television screen as Julian knelt on one knee in front of Victoria Thorne. They had been together for eight long years, but Julian's heart had always belonged to his untouchable childhood sweetheart. Clara had once foolishly believed that given enough time and devotion, she could warm his heart and earn a place as his wife. Now, her final illusion lay shattered.

A long silence stretched over the line before a deep, husky, and effortlessly commanding voice answered, "Very well."

Clara pulled her gaze away from the broadcast. "So, Mr. Pendelton, when shall we sign the marriage register?"

"I am departing for an international business trip to Seattle tomorrow morning and will return in a month," Arthur Pendelton replied, his refined voice sounding magnetic in the quiet of the night. "We will meet at the Register Office then."

"Agreed."

After hanging up, Clara sat in silence. Two weeks ago, her aunt in the countryside had called to introduce her to a potential match, the grandson of their neighbor, Mrs. Rose. Her aunt described him as a brilliant scholar from a prestigious university who now worked for a major corporation and possessed a fine talent for business.

At the time, convinced she would one day marry Julian, Clara had flatly declined. That very evening, the man had called her directly, stating bluntly that he had no patience for casual dating and proposed an immediate marriage if she agreed. Clara had called him out of his mind. She never imagined that within two weeks, she would be the one reaching out to accept.

She opened her phone to check the trending headlines. The press was in a frenzy.

Julian Maxwells, heir to the Maxwells Media & Tech empire, had publicly proposed to A-list actress Victoria Thorne amid rumors of her secret pregnancy. With tabloid headlines alleging Victoria was carrying the child of married aristocrat Alistair Finch, Julian stepped forward to claim full paternity, declaring Victoria his true partner and announcing their imminent wedding. The video of his lavish proposal at her birthday gala was playing on every major news outlet.

Clara stared at the screen. Julian had proposed behind her back and won Victoria's hand. What did that make Clara? If Victoria was his partner, what were the eight years Clara had given him?

The reason she accepted Arthur Pendelton's proposal was simple. During their brief call, he had said: "I wish to build a life with a partner like any ordinary couple, supporting each other, respecting each other, and growing old together."

It was a simple vision, but it represented the quiet dignity Julian had consistently denied her.

Setting her phone aside, Clara packed her belongings. This luxury estate belonged to Julian; she needed to leave as quickly as possible.

Because of her early rotation at St. Jude's Royal Medical Center, Clara slept for barely two hours before rising. Coming downstairs, she found Julian sprawled across the velvet sofa, his hair disheveled and his brow furrowed in a heavy hangover.

Ignoring him, she went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. As she stirred a simple broth, Julian stumbled in, reeking of alcohol. He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and rested his heavy chin on her shoulder.

"My head is splitting, Clara. Make me some of your herbal hangover tea."

Clara frowned slightly. "Go sit down."

"Let me hold you for a moment," he mumbled, eyes closed.

"You smell of liquor."

"Do I?" He sniffed his collar. "Fine, I'll shower first."

In the kitchen, Clara retrieved a tin from the top cabinet containing her custom herbal blend. Because Julian's frequent executive dinners had taxed his stomach over the years, she had personally consulted specialists to formulate a recipe to protect his health. The preparation was tedious and required constant attention.

As she stirred the pot, Clara let out a soft, dry laugh. For eight years she had catered to his health, yet no remedy could thaw a heart that belonged to someone else. Let this final gesture mark the absolute end of their eight years.

When Julian returned fresh from his shower, Clara placed the warm bowl before him. He rubbed his temples and stirred the broth, offering no explanation for the previous night's public spectacle.

"Congratulations," Clara spoke first.

Julian looked up, his handsome features showing mild confusion. "For what?"

"Congratulations on proposing to Victoria at her birthday gala, after so many years of trying, she finally accepted. And congratulations on becoming a father."

Julian had loved Victoria since their school days, fifteen years in total. Every year on her birthday, regardless of his relationship with Clara, he had made a grand proposal. Clara had endured it out of a desperate, humble devotion.

Julian's brow darkened. "You saw the news?"

Clara met his gaze silently.

Julian dismissively waved his hand. "Victoria and I are entering a strategic arrangement. We will quietly divorce once the press storm dies down."

"A strategic arrangement?" Clara smiled faintly. "Will you sign a legal registry? Will you host a high-society wedding?"

"Of course. The Maxwells board requires a public show of stability."

"Then how is it fake?"

"It is a business maneuver, Clara. You don't need to concern yourself with the details." He took a few sips of the broth and stood up to leave.

"I have no interest in your private maneuvers," Clara said calmly. "But we must settle matters between us."

Julian turned back. "What are you talking about?"

Clara took a quiet, steady breath. "We are breaking up."