CHAPTER FIVE_ Claire’s POV

I woke up alone.

The other side of the bed was cold and untouched_ almost as if Lucian had never slept there.

I stayed still for a moment, staring at the ceiling, wondering if I had imagined everything that had happened last night.

Eva’s text… the way Lucian hadn't even pretended to hesitate.

He had checked his phone, slipped on his jacket, and left the house, claiming he had work to take care of.

He gave me no explanation, no reassurance.

Just the sound of the front door closing behind him.

I noticed my phone vibrating repeatedly on the night stand.

I reached for it, almost dreadfully.

My heart began to pound the moment the screen lit up.

BREAKING NEWS: ACTRESS EVA STERLING SPOTTED IN INTIMATE MOMENT WITH BILLIONAIRE CEO LUCIAN DHARK.

It felt like my soul left my body.

The first image loaded slowly, as if the universe wanted me to suffer.

It was a picture of Lucian and Eva on the balcony of a luxury hotel suite. His hand was placed intimately on her waist, while her fingers curled into his hair.

Their mouths were joined in a passionate kiss.

I scrolled.

More pictures. More angles. More headlines.

“Lucian Dhark Rekindles Romance with Ex”

“CEO Cheats on Wife with Famous Actress”

I dropped the phone like it had burned me.

This wasn't speculation. It wasn't suspicion. This was my humiliation, broadcast to the whole world.

I called Lucian.

Once. Twice. Ten times.

My calls went straight to voicemail.

Hours passed.

Then a day, then another.

Lucian still didn't come home.

I called him everyday, but every ring went unanswered and every message I sent was ignored.

“Please come home.”

“We need to talk.”

“Lucian, I'm begging you.”

Three days passed.

Three nights of sleeping alone in a mansion that felt too empty.

The media only grew more vicious. My name trended while Eva smiled for the cameras. Lucian, who was the reason for the chaos, had vanished into thin air.

By the fourth day, something inside me snapped.

If he wouldn't come to me, I would go to him.

The Dhark Holdings building rose to the sky, all glass, steel and powerful. Just like the man inside.

The receptionist recognized me immediately I walked in.

"He's in a meeting," she said, smiling stiffly.

"I'm his wife," I replied. My hands trembled, but my voice did not. “Tell him I'm here."

Minutes later, I was escorted into Lucian’s office.

He looked up from the computer when I walked in and for a second, something flickered in his eyes— surprise, maybe even a little bit of guilt.

But it vanished just as quickly.

“Claire," he said cooly. "This isn't a good time."

I let out a sharp, broken laugh. "You think?"

He dismissed his assistant, who was looking between us awkwardly, then stood.

I noticed that he looked exactly the same. The same perfect suit, perfect composure. As if nothing had happened.

"Explain," I started. “Explain why the entire world has seen you kissing your ex."

He exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. "It's not what it looks like.”

I stepped closer, my hands shaking by my side. “I saw the photos, Lucian. Was the balcony fake? Were the photos staged? Or am I imagining your mouth on hers too?”

Lucian remained silent.

"Say it," I whispered. "Say you didn't cheat on me."

He looked away.

That was when I felt something shatter inside me. Hot, humiliating tears spilled from my eyes, before I could stop them.

“Do you know what you’ve done to me?" I cried. "I can't leave the house without people staring at me! I can't open my phone without seeing my husband kissing another woman!”

“Lower your voice.” Lucian snapped.

That hurt more than the betrayal.

“No!” I shot back. "You don't get to humiliate me publicly and then ask me to be quiet!”

“I stood by you, I loved you, even when you pushed me away. And this… this is how you repay me?"

“It wasn't supposed to get out," he murmured.

My heart sank.

I stared at Lucian with wide eyes as if I didn’t even know him anymore. And maybe I never did.

“So you admit it," I whispered. "You're not even denying it?”

Lucian sighed, as if I were the problem. As if I was making him exhausted.

“Claire, you're very emotional right now."

“I'm your wife! I trusted you, Lucian. And you-" My voice broke. “You chose her."

“I didn't choose anyone.” He said sharply. "Eva is part of my past. This is more complicated than you think.”

"No," I said, shaking. "It's simple. You cheated on me."

Lucian took a step back, turning away from me.

Silence stretched between us. Heavy, painful silence.

"I forgave you once," I continued. "I stood by you. I've always chosen you. So please-" My voice cracked. "Please fight for us now.”

He turned to face me, and for a moment, I saw hesitation in his eyes.

Then he shook his head.

“I don't know if I can," he admitted quietly.

The words crushed me.

“I'll do anything," I cried, holding onto the edge of his desk for balance. "I don't care about the scandal. Just… just don't leave me."

Lucian watched me like a stranger.

I hated myself in that moment. I hated the way love made me feel small.

Lucian hesitated, then he nodded once.

“I'll try," he said. "I'll end it."

It wasn't a promise, but I clung to it anyways.

“Thank you," I whispered, wiping my face with my own hands. “Thank you."

But even as I said it, I knew he what he felt wasn’t love.

It was obligation.

And somehow, that was worse.