2

CHAPTER 2

My heart was thudding loudly as I stepped back into the empty mansion.

It's been three years since I last stepped foot inside, and I realized that the television was on.

My brows drew together in confusion as I stepped into the living room, where the TV was roaring in full volume.

Who had turned it on?

As these thoughts swirled in my head, my eyes were soon drawn to the images displayed on the large screen. The pixels unblurred, and I realized what was currently playing was... me.

The wedding I had been dragged out of, my husband's wedding, was trending mostly because I dared to point a gun at the golden girl of the people, the actress they worshipped.

The woman is now married to my husband.

Comments flooded the bottom of the screen in an endless stream. People who didn’t know me but hated me anyway were typing cruel words.

[She deserves to be taken back to prison for ruining this event!]

[How dare she take a gun to the wedding? She's a thug!]

[She’s always been a snake. Now the world knows it!]

[Stealing from her own father-in-law and still acting bold? Fucked up bitch!]

I ran my fingers through my disheveled waves, sticky from sweat.

I sank onto the couch and clutched the hem of my dress so tightly that my knuckles turned pale. My throat felt raw, and my heart was torn between anger and sorrow.

For a brief moment, I let myself sink into memory, into the cruel twist of fate that had brought me here.

I remembered the night Derrick came to me, his face pale as his body trembled like a boy who was caught stealing toys from his father’s basement. The only difference was that what he stole wasn’t sugar.

It was millions.

“Clara.” He’d whispered. “You have to help me. You’re the only one I can trust.”

I’d just given birth then.

He stood at the edge of the bed with desperation in his eyes. And though every instinct told me something was wrong, my foolish, loyal heart beat only for him.

“What is it, Derrick?” I’d asked, cradling our newborn, as exhaustion took over me.

“I took money.” He'd confessed. “I had to. Father wouldn’t listen. He doesn’t believe in me or my ideas. He treats me like I’m nothing compared to my brother. But I have a plan, Clara, I swear it. There's an investment that will change everything.”

After a brief silence, he continued. “I’ll triple the money. But if he finds out.. if he knows I took it.. he’ll strip me of everything. He’ll give the company to my brother. And I can’t lose it. I can’t lose my birthright.”

He sank to his knees beside me and grabbed my hands.

“Please. Please, Clara. Take the blame. If it comes out, let it fall on you. He already hates you, doesn’t he? He never wanted me to marry you because you’re the adopted daughter of his rival. He’ll believe it was you. He’ll arrest you, yes, but I’ll fix it. I’ll find a way to clear you. Just—please—don’t let him see me as a thief. Don’t let him take everything from me.”

I saw the man I loved, broken and terrified of the consequences of his actions.

I didn’t see manipulation. I didn't see how it made no sense for a man to claim to love me yet want me to take a fall just weeks after I had given birth.

So I agreed.

And his father didn’t hesitate. He ordered my arrest like he had been waiting for this chance.

And through it all, I told myself it was worth it. That Derrick would protect me.

How blind I was.

A sob rose in my throat, but I swallowed it down. I dragged myself off the couch to get some water. I was desperate for something to wash away what I felt.

The kitchen felt like it was miles away, and I staggered, trying to hold myself together as I moved.

And soon enough, I heard a sound.

It sounded similar to a cry.

But.. a cry.

I was the only one here.

..Right?

At first, I thought it was my imagination. Maybe the pain of the heartache and betrayal I’d felt in my chest was getting to me.

But no—it was real. I moved closer and found out it was a faint sound coming from the room at the end of the hallway.

I stopped in my tracks as my heart sped up.

Who else was here?

The mansion was supposed to be empty. Derrick had gone straight from the ceremony to his public appearances.

The staff in the mansion had long been dismissed. Yet I'm sure of what I heard: quiet sobs muffled behind a closed door.

Curiosity pushed me forward, even though every muscle in my body and all my instincts screamed at me to turn back.

My bare feet moved silently over the tiles, and my fingers were trembling as I reached the door. I pressed my ear against the cool wood and waited.

My body jumps back as a loud bang echoes through the room, whipping my body around. I take a step backwards.

But it's too late. The door slowly crept open, causing my eyes to widen at the sight before me.