Chapter 003: The Deal

CLARA'S POV

"Edward?" I repeated, still in disbelief. My eyes scanned his face once more just to make sure I was not mistaken. And sure enough, this was Edward Sterling, my childhood friend.

We had made a lot of good memories together but lost contact years ago. Seeing him standing right in front of me was almost akin to seeing a ghost. I couldn't believe it.

"Oh, Clara," Edward sighed. In a second, he strode halfway across the room. The side of the bed dipped when he lowered himself into it and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

Perhaps it was the comforting gesture or the fact that up until now, no one had shown me comfort and care. Most likely, it was the effect of comfort from a familiar face that did it. Overwhelmed and unable to hold it back anymore, I broke down in tears, my face buried in my hands as I cried helplessly.

I cried for the loss of my marriage; I cried for the loss of my baby, I cried for the loss of everything I thought I knew…everything I’d thought I had. The whole time, Edward stayed by my side, his hand patting my back gently whilst I let out all the tears I had in me.

My hands were trembling when I finally raised my head. With a flick of my finger, I brushed away the tears that stood in the corner of my eyes. When I finally found the courage to face Edward again, I found him staring at me, pain so heavy in his eyes that I suddenly felt very bare and exposed, like he could see right through me. I felt myself slowly grow defensive as I pulled away from him.

“I don’t need your pity, Edward. Just go away, please.” I shoved him away gently before he had the time to argue with me. “I’m fine.”

"I'm just trying to help."

"Don't you get it? I don't want you here!" I spat.

Edward's hand dropped back into his lap.

“Not this time, Clara,” he shook his head. “You have always been stubborn, but I won’t let you win this time. I’m sorry my men couldn’t get to you on time.”

What was he talking about?

I wiped my eyes to see him better and asked, "What do you mean?"

"I saw the news of Nate cheating on the news," he explained. "I told my men to track you because I suspected something like this would happen."

Edward and I, though childhood friends, had not seen or spoken to each other in quite a number of years, and yet he was tailing me?

I suddenly recalled the SUV's and the men that rushed out of them.

"How did- did you know I was married to Nate?" I asked.

His green eyes searched my face, gauging my reaction to what he was about to say. "The truth is I've been... monitoring Nate for years. We're business rivals, so it was necessary to. When you married him, I admit I was shocked."

I stared at him in shock, trying my hardest to keep my jaw from slacking. It was bad enough learning that Edward had been in the shadows for years, unknowing to me. But the biggest issue was the fact that he probably knew more about my marriage than I did. The question I longed to ask him burned on the tip of my tongue. “Did—did you know he was cheating?”

He hesitated, then nodded.

My reaction was so explosive that I barely gave myself a chance to breathe or think it through. I let out a broken sob and began to scream, hitting his shoulder violently. “How could you?! You knew, and you just sat there and watched it happen. You are no different from Nate! Get out!”

“Clara, stop it. Relax, please. You are just emotional right now.” He grabbed my hands to stop me from hitting him until I calmed down. “You say this right now, but we both know you never would’ve believed me if I told you he was cheating. You were in love with him, and people in love are often blind. Besides, I had no business meddling in your marriage.”

"We were friends, Edward. Good friends. Didn't you feel you owed it to me to tell me the truth?"

"Yes." His voice sank. "Yes, I realize that now, and I'm sorry."

I looked down at my fingers to find them shaking. I started crying again. "I lost my baby. Nate... he killed my baby. He pushed me and- and- now I have nothing left. My life is over.”

"Ssh. It's okay." This time I let Edward take my hand. "Come with me to my pack. There, I can give you a fresh start."

"No. There's nothing you can do for me.”

"Marry me."

I froze at the outburst, my breath hitching as I turned to make sure I'd heard right. I wiped my face. "What did you say?"

"Marry me," he repeated without flinching.

I couldn't even describe the myriad of emotions that hit me at that point. "Edward…"

He sat up straighter. His gaze was locked on mine. "I lost my parents in an accident." A flash of pain crossed his features. "I'm to be the Alpha of my pack as is customary, but the council insists I get married according to my parents will. I have just two weeks to find a wife. If I fail, I'll lose the pack and my parent's company to my cousin, who is next in line for the title."

I stared at him in disbelief, sure he would laugh and say this was a badly timed joke. He didn't.

Everything was beginning to piece itself together. I could not suppress my disbelief as I stared at him.

"So that's the real reason why you're here. You came to do business with me?" The weight of it seemed to hang over me as I said it out loud. "I just lost my baby, and all you can think of is your own selfish interest? How dare you?!"

"Look, Clara, I know you're hurt, and I get it. I wish there was a way to bring your baby back to you, I swear I would do it in a heartbeat. But unfortunately, things do not work that way. You need to move on, Clara. Crying about it won't bring ba–"

"Get out!" My voice was so choked with rage that I could barely get the words out.

Edward started to speak again. I kicked away the sheets.

"If you don't get out right now, I'll scream," I threatened and I meant every word of it.

Edward got up. At the door, he turned.

"Listen," he said. "Even if you're not willing to move on, you should at least consider taking revenge on the man who didn't let your child live."

That word revenge.

It made me feel some type of way. All the pain I felt suddenly turned to anger. Yes, crying wouldn’t bring my baby back, but Nate deserved to feel the pain I felt. A single tear streamed down my face. I knew Nate would be enjoying himself with his new woman while I almost died, while I was here lying in pain.

"Wait," I called out to Edward.

He obliged.

"Revenge?" I asked.

"Yes, Clara. Revenge. We both have a common enemy. Nathaniel owes me a debt, too, and he must pay dearly for it. Because of him, my parents died, and the last thing I want to do is see him happy. If we join forces together, we can destroy him. I know this is the last thing you want to hear right now, but you can't just sit here crying your heart out while he's out there, probably partying with that model. You should drag him down, make him feel the pain you're feeling right now. You should avenge yourself."

"And you will help me get revenge if I marry you?" I asked.

Edward nodded. "To hurt a man like Nathaniel, you need power and money. I can provide you with both easily. If you agree to this plan, a contract marriage between us will be drawn for twelve months; that is enough time to claim my inheritance. Within that time, I shall provide you with every resource you need to take Nate down. All you have to do is ask."

"And what will your council think of this arrangement? What will they say when they find out about my divorce?"

"Leave them to me. Anyone who even attempts to disrespect you will lose his tongue." He sharply answered.

In my mind, I saw Nate and Isla’s cruel faces as they kicked me out. I thought about all the sacrifices I made in my marriage and everything I did to ensure that Nate was happy. He deserved to be punished, to feel the pain I felt because of his betrayal.

I looked up at Edward, the man I had known years ago.

Did I think marrying him was a good idea? The answer was obviously no. But he was the only one who could help me. He was the only one who could help me restart my life. He would help me make Nate pay for taking my baby from me.

I exhaled and wiped my tears. “I’ll marry you, but you must promise me one thing.”

“What?” He asked.

“You must promise me that once we are done with Nate, he will be nothing. Just like Nate took my baby, you’ll help me take everything from him.”

Edward nodded. “Deal.”