Two

Chapter 2

"Are you listening to me?" Julian's voice rose with impatience. "Victoria and I are handling a public relations crisis. It is a business arrangement! We will divorce once it settles. Why are you making a scene over something that has nothing to do with you? Just pretend you know nothing about it."

Pretend she knew nothing? Her partner of eight years had announced a marriage to another woman on national television.

Clara lowered her eyes. "Whether your marriage is real or staged, Julian, I am ending our relationship."

"Clara!"

"I am exhausted," she said softly. "Eight years of loving you has drained everything I have. It is over."

"Fine! We're breaking up! See how long you last before you regret it!" Julian snapped his jacket from the chair and stormed out of the villa.

As the heavy oak door slammed shut, Clara felt an overwhelming wave of relief.

As an Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist at St. Jude's Royal Medical Center, Clara arrived early for her shift. In the breakroom, Nurse Debra was absorbed in the morning tabloids.

"Can you believe the news about Victoria Thorne?" Debra gossiped while sorting patient files. "Half the press claims the child belongs to Lord Alistair Finch, and the other half says it's Julian Maxwells. If I were her, I'd choose Maxwells, immensely wealthy and devastatingly handsome. They say he's been devoted to her for fifteen years!"

Clara remained silent, quietly directing Debra to prepare the first patient for an examination.

Before long, her phone rang. It was Julian.

"Get ready. Victoria is coming to St. Jude's for her prenatal intake this morning."

Clara's temper flared. "London has dozens of premier private clinics, Julian. Why bring her to my hospital? And why assign her to me?"

"Because you are the best, and I trust your discretion," Julian replied coldly before disconnecting.

By nine o'clock, Victoria arrived, swarmed by press outside the hospital entrance. Hospital security and Julian shielded her as they moved through the private concourse. Although Clara had reassigned the case to another senior consultant, the hospital director personally called Clara into his office, insisting she handle the high-profile patient herself.

Clara completed the initial examination efficiently; all vitals were normal.

"Gestational progress is ten weeks and three days," Clara stated, her eyes fixed on her monitor. "As this is your initial booking, you must complete the official maternity registration form. The guidelines are posted on the wall behind you."

Julian glanced at the instructions and scoffed. "Handle the paperwork for us, Clara. I am staying here with Victoria."

Clara looked up. "I am sorry, but the registry requires signatures directly from the patient or her legal guardian. As her attending physician, administrative filing is outside my duties."

"Clara, can you not see that Victoria needs me right now?" Julian snapped. "Must you be so unreasonable?"

"I am a physician on duty, Mr. Maxwells. Professional boundaries are non-negotiable."

"You, "

"Next patient, please," Clara called out.

Victoria gently placed her hand on Julian's arm to intervene. "Clara, please don't be upset with Julian. He is merely helping me through a difficult situation. Our arrangement is strictly functional. I would hate to come between you two."

Clara looked at Victoria, the woman who had kept Julian on a leash for fifteen years, drawing him near whenever he tried to move on, while accepting his lavish devotion without commitment.

"He is your fiancé," Clara replied dispassionately. "It is entirely natural that you rely on him. Why would I be upset?"

"Did you two argue because of me?" Victoria asked softly.

"We did not argue. We have broken up."

"Clara, you truly misunderstand him. He is only trying to protect my reputation."

Clara raised a hand. "Miss Thorne, you overestimate your role. My decision has nothing to do with you."

Julian's face darkened instantly. "Clara Vance, who gave you permission to speak to Victoria in that tone? Apologize to her at once!"

Clara had reached her absolute limit. She pointed directly at the door. "Get out!"

Within twenty minutes of their departure, Clara was summoned to the executive office.

"You are fully aware that St. Jude's relies heavily on investment from the Maxwells Medical Group," the hospital director scolded, pacing behind his desk. "And you just dismissed Miss Thorne and Mr. Julian Maxwells!"

"And?" Clara asked, her hands resting calmly in her lab coat pockets.

"So?" The director slammed his palm on the desk. "Dr. Vance, do you value your position at this institution?"

"If Mr. Maxwells demands my dismissal simply because I refused an administrative favor and maintained medical protocol, I will happily present my case to the BMA and legal counsel."

"You are being reckless! He is a Maxwells heir. How can a line doctor afford to cross him?"

"I have patients waiting," Clara said coldly. "If there are no clinical instructions, I will return to my department."

"Stubborn!" The director called after her as she reached the door. "One more thing, Miss Thorne has requested you specifically as her personal consultant. You will manage her home visits whenever required."

"I decline."

"You do not have a choice!"

Returning to her office, Clara felt a deep surge of anger. For eight years, she had loved Julian with absolute sincerity. Did her devotion make her an easy target for his arrogance?

The office door swung open, and Julian walked in, tossing a completed registration folder onto her desk. "The paperwork is done. Are you satisfied now?"

Clara took the folder silently and entered the details into the system. "The clinical guidance is outlined inside. I have marked the date for the next routine scan."

"Victoria has a demanding schedule, as do I," Julian said sharply. "I expect you to send personal reminders before every appointment."

Clara stopped writing. "I am a hospital physician, Mr. Maxwells. Managing your personal calendar is not my responsibility."

"Victoria's affairs are my affairs, and my affairs are yours. Remind her when it is time."

Clara looked up, her gaze steady and cold. "Julian, let me repeat myself: we are broken up. If you are dissatisfied with my professional services, you are free to transfer to another consultant. There is no need for us to interact again."

Julian tightened his jaw. For the first time in eight years, he saw an absolute, unyielding detachment in her eyes. The quiet, accommodating Clara he had known was gone, replaced by a stranger who cut him off without hesitation. A subtle panic flickered in his chest.

"I will keep the schedule in mind," Victoria said quickly, taking Julian's hand with a graceful smile. "Thank you for your care, Dr. Vance."

Before Clara could reply, a sudden commotion erupted in the corridor. A group of aggressive paparazzi burst into the office, cameras flashing as they surrounded Julian and Victoria.

"Miss Thorne! Are you and Lord Finch truly just acquaintances?"

"Mr. Maxwells, is this engagement merely a public relations shield?"

"Is it true Miss Thorne was seen leaving the Mayfair Hotel late last night?"

The reporters pushed forward aggressively. Julian shielded Victoria, but the crowd pressed them against the desk. Realizing Victoria was at risk of being knocked over, Clara stepped around her desk to assist hospital security in stabilizing the room.

As Clara approached, Julian pulled Victoria back into his chest. "Protect Victoria!" he barked at the security team, turning to confront the press. "Get out! All of you!"

In the chaos, two reporters jostled violently, stumbling directly into Victoria. Clara stepped in to absorb the impact, but the heavy push drove her lower back straight into the sharp corner of the mahogany desk. A sharp gasp of pain escaped her lips.

Before she could recover, Julian swung around to clear space, accidentally shoving Clara back into the desk corner a second time. The intense pain brought tears to her eyes.

Then, under the flashing strobes of a dozen cameras, Julian pulled Victoria into his arms and pressed a passionate kiss to her lips...