Clara couldn't stop staring at the ring that encircled her ring finger—a beautiful ring with sparkling gemstones and intricate engravings that looked incredibly stunning.The moonlight's reflection in the night sky made her ring appear even more mesmerizing which make Clara couldn't take her eyes off of it.Lucas's birthday party was still ongoing, and everyone was busy chatting with each other—trying to find a moment to congratulate Lucas on his engagement.She thought Lucas would be surprised by the birthday party theme she had chosen, but she was the one who got a surprise because Lucas is proposing her on his own birthday."What a beautiful ring," a woman in a light blue dress approached with a glass of wine in her hand.Clara turned her head and smiled briefly when she realized that the woman was... Rafael's wife."My name is Cheryl, by the way," she said, smiling."I... know," Clara replied with the same smile when she could hear Cheryl’s voice that seemed filled with passion th
"I didn't mean to disturb your daydreaming. But you've been here for a while, and Lucas is starting to get annoyed because you're not coming back,"Clara turned her head and found Louis walking towards her with two glasses of wine. "I'm not drinking," she said."These are for me," he took a sip from both glasses and continued, "I know you don't drink."Clara rolled her eyes as she realized it was just Louis's way of teasing her."I'm very happy about your engagement, Cla," Louis suddenly said.Clara smiled, looking at her hand—admiring the ring Lucas had chosen for her.Lucas always asked about clothes, watches, and even ties to wear because he wasn't skilled in choosing fashion-related things. However, the ring he chose truly amazed Clara—it was beautiful and perfectly fit her finger."He actually asked for my opinion on the ring," Louis glanced at his hand and smiled."Really?" Clara blinked, "So he intentionally proposed to me at his birthday party, and you knew?"Louis chuckled, "
Lucas departed for Canada exactly on the day the secret meeting of ElWagner was scheduled. He didn't say anything to her, but Clara knew everything, and perhaps Lucas knew that she already knew.The journey from New York to Canada—to the headquarters of ElWagner—didn't take long, only about a 4-hour trip. Lucas left during the day, and he would arrive there in the evening while the meeting was set to take place in the middle of the night.Clara... still couldn't believe what she was doing. She had come to Canada—secretly following Lucas with the help of Beatrice and Cheryl, who had been waiting for her at a hotel near the headquarters. She kept her arrival a secret from Lucas, but of course, she couldn't hide it from Elena and Laura. She had told them her purpose for coming to Canada and when she would return to the United States tomorrow morning. They agreed to support her after learning about her complex problems. Even Louis offered to accompany her, but she refused because she didn
Lucas sighed long and leaned back, closing his eyes, seeming reluctant to look at Clara. He even released her hand, allowing her to gaze at the starry night outside the helicopter window.Minutes passed, and Lucas remained seated in silence—not saying anything.Clara reached for his hand, placed her fingers in his lap, and turned her head to look intently at Lucas. "Can you teach me how to read your mind?"Lucas opened his eyes, "why do you want to read my mind?"Clara shrugged, "So I know what you're thinking without asking you. Just like you've always done with me.""My thoughts are too dark for you to understand, Cla." Lucas shook his head. "You shouldn't have entered all of this—entered my world and all the dark things that you shouldn't have to stay on.""Then where should I stay?""Definitely not in the dark world I have." Lucas quickly retorted, "I tried to make you stay in a better place and protect you from all dangers, not bring you to this meeting, Cla."Clara let out a lon
Clara walked in, passing dozens of people who looked at her in awe—admiring her beauty, her wide smile, and her eyes that shone as she welcomed her new day—a new beginning for the life she was about to have.Far ahead, she saw Lucas smiling at her—only at her.The piano sounds playing "River Flows In You" accompanied each step Clara took, each step filled with happiness in the smiles around her, witnessing her embracing eternal happiness, now standing proudly in front of her—waiting for her to come to always holding her hand.Her white floor-length gown and the bouquet of flowers in her right hand signified her seriousness about every step she was taking.Louis walked beside her, holding her hand and escorting her to the altar.Her father should have been walking beside her, but... they were happy in heaven. And... Clara had Louis—someone who had always been there in every step of her life. So, it was Louis who escorted her to the aisle towards Lucas.Elena stepped forward—becoming a
Clara walked seductively, smiling sensually at a man who was now looking at her while raising an eyebrow. A sheet of a towel wrapped around her body had been released since the first time she stepped out of the toilet. Instead, bright red lingerie wrapped around her naked body—creating a silhouette of her sexy and seductive curves.He greeted her and pulled her into his lap while rubbing her thighs in a seductive motion. His lips landed on the skin of Clara’s neck, kissing her hard while growling in a hoarse voice.Clara smiled contentedly. She looked up and stared at him, touching his lips to trace his face with her tongue.Not wanting to remain silent, he also did the same thing. Tracing Clara’s skin from her face to her neck.Claire closed her eyes, savoring every touch he gave to her body. She groaned softly, then replied by doing the same thing.“What should I call you by?” She whispered.He raised his eyebrow. His sturdy jaw touched Clara’s chest line, sucking it gently. His sha
Throughout her life, Clara never really knew which choice was wrong or right. She only knows how to save Anthony, her little brother. Therefore, Clara did everything—including selling herself for money. She will do anything for Anthony’s recovery because that little boy is her only family.“Can you go faster?” Clara reached out to the taxi driver sitting in front of her,“I can’t, miss. I have exceeded the set speed.”Clara clenched her fists—a soft curse in her heart.Once again she was in an unpleasant state. Her body still felt tired, but she needed to get to the hospital as soon as possible.“Yes, ma’am? What’s going on?” Clara tried to normalize her voice when she received the call.There was the sound of someone breathing on the other side of the line. “Dear, what are you doing? Why are you kicking your client? Do you know what trouble you brought me?” The woman’s soft voice sounded sinister. Behind her angelic voice, Clara knew there was something terrible about this woman.Cla
Lucas Mark Axton was standing on the edge of his apartment window, growling under his breath. He crumpled his phone angrily, then threw it at the wall beside him. One of his hands grabbed a wine glass served by a maid, lifted it up slowly, and then threw it away carelessly.A maid standing behind him shrieked in surprise. However, the woman immediately lowered her head and covered her mouth tightly when she saw Lucas glance at her with a sharp gaze.“Go,” Jamie—Lucas’s assistant and his close friend, said while waving his hand at the two maids.“Thank you sir.” the two maids bowed their heads respectfully and walked slowly out of Lucas’ room.“Call Rachel. I want to meet that woman tonight. If Rachel can’t bring her here, I’ll destroy her business.” Lucas said.Jamie sighed. “Didn’t Rachel say that the woman refuses to meet you? She doesn’t want to serve a man more than once. That’s her principle.”“You think any prostitution has principles?” Lucas turned his head and looked annoyed.