Chapter 3

The V-Tech corporate tower loomed, a monolith of glass and steel piercing the Manhattan skyline. Julian had never paid it much mind before. Now, it felt like a fortress, Clara’s personal bastion. His own company, Thorne Enterprises, felt quaint by comparison.

He stormed past the reception, his CEO-level confidence radiating like a physical heat. "Julian Thorne. I’m here to see Clara Vance."

The sleek, intimidating woman at the front desk, whose nameplate read 'Ms. Holloway,' didn't even flinch. "Do you have an appointment, Mr. Thorne?"

"I'm her ex-husband!" Julian practically roared, drawing stares from other visitors. "And a major shareholder in the company she's trying to sabotage!"

Ms. Holloway’s perfectly sculpted eyebrow arched. "Ms. Vance's personal life is not relevant to her professional schedule. And regarding your 'shareholder' claim, I believe she's currently drafting an email to inform the board that V-Tech will be divesting its shares in Thorne Enterprises. She says it's 'not worth the effort.'"

Julian felt a fresh wave of panic. Divesting? That meant she was just playing with him. That she truly wanted to crush him.

Just then, the private elevator chimed and opened. Clara stepped out, flanked by a tall, impeccably dressed man with sharp features and an even sharper gaze. He was easily six-foot-four, with dark hair that fell just so, and a possessive hand resting subtly on the small of Clara’s back.

Logan. That was the name she’d said on the phone last night.

Clara looked even more formidable up close. Her red lipstick was perfect, her eyes devoid of any lingering affection. She wore a confident, almost predatory smile.

"Julian," she said, her voice cool and detached, as if he were an annoying fly she had to swat away. "To what do I owe this... unsolicited visit?"

Julian felt a surge of possessive fury at the sight of Logan. Who was this man, touching his wife—no, ex-wife?

"We need to talk," Julian bit out, glaring at Logan. "Privately."

Clara laughed, a light, melodious sound that grated on his nerves. "There’s nothing to discuss, Julian. Our divorce papers were signed. Our business dealings are purely transactional, and frankly, I'm finding your company a rather dull investment. You’ll be receiving a formal notification of V-Tech’s divestment by end of day."

"The sonogram, Clara," Julian blurted out, desperate. "I found it. Is it—is it real?"

Clara’s serene expression didn't falter, but Logan’s grip on her back tightened almost imperceptibly. His eyes, fixed on Julian, promised pain if he continued.

"My personal life, Mr. Thorne, is no longer your concern," Clara stated, her voice hardening. "Especially not after you traded it away for a... fragile damsel in distress." She practically spat out the word 'fragile'.

"But it's my child!" Julian stepped forward, only to be smoothly intercepted by Logan.

"I believe Ms. Vance made herself clear," Logan said, his voice deep and calm, but with an underlying steel that warned Julian not to push further. "You are trespassing, Mr. Thorne. I suggest you leave before I call security."

Julian bristled. "Who the hell are you?"

Logan offered a small, knowing smirk. "I’m her Head of Security, Mr. Thorne. And her personal assistant. And her confidante. And anything else she needs me to be." He emphasized "anything else" just enough to make Julian's blood boil.

Clara simply watched, her arms crossed, an air of complete indifference surrounding her. She wasn't asking Logan to back off. She was enjoying the show.

"Clara, please," Julian pleaded, his voice cracking for the first time. "Don't do this. I made a mistake. I know I did. Just... tell me about the baby. I deserve to know."

Clara finally looked at him, her eyes piercing. "Deserve? You deserved the truth of who I was for three years, Julian. You deserved the loyalty I gave you. You deserved the love I poured into that house. But you didn't see it. You didn't want it."

She stepped around Logan, moving closer to Julian. He held his breath, hoping for a flicker of the woman he once knew.

"You wanted Sarah, the woman who needed you," Clara whispered, her voice dangerously soft. "You got her. Enjoy your consolation prize, Julian. Because this"—she gestured around the luxurious lobby of her empire—"and everything that comes with it, is something you chose to give up. And it’s something you'll never get back."

She turned, her back ramrod straight, and walked back to the elevator, Logan following her, casting one last, triumphant look at Julian. The doors slid shut, sealing her away behind a barrier of steel and power.

Julian stood there, alone in the gleaming lobby, feeling utterly hollowed out. He had lost her. He had lost his child. And now, she was going to systematically dismantle his empire, one share at a time.

His phone buzzed. It was Marcus, his assistant.

"Sir, Thorne Enterprises' shares just dropped another 10%. V-Tech released a statement. They've decided to... withdraw their interest."

Julian closed his eyes, remembering Clara’s parting words. The last time you'll see it for free.

He had no idea how much it was going to cost him to win her back.