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Alle Kapitel von The Heir Clause: Kapitel 1 – Kapitel 10

87 Kapitel

CHAPTER 1: The Summons

Three years. That's how long it had been since Lucian Velmore last saw his wife.Not that he missed her.The wedding had been political—just a handshake with a kiss. A deal between two empires. He played the role of the cold groom in a perfectly tailored suit, she played the role of the smiling bride in a pearl-studded gown. Then, after the photos, champagne, and the awkward "I dos," she disappeared.Europe, he'd heard. Paris maybe. Or Greece. Somewhere pretty and far.Good for her.Lucian tossed his phone on the leather seat beside him as the town car pulled into the Velmore estate. He wasn't in the mood for this meeting. When his assistant said his grandmother was calling a family gathering, he knew it couldn't be good. And when the Winslows were included?It was definitely bad.He stepped out of the car, buttoning his coat, and walked up the stairs of the mansion. The grand double doors opened before he even reached them."Mr. Velmore," the butler nodded.Lucian gave a slight nod b

CHAPTER 2: Lines We Crossed

One night, after a long charity gala, they came home tipsy, tired, and too close.Lucian pulled off his tie. "You were beautiful tonight."Caliste blinked. "What did you just say?""I said," he walked toward her, voice low, "you looked beautiful."She stared at him. "You're drunk.""Nope."She swallowed hard as he reached up and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.Her breath caught."This is a bad idea," she whispered."I know."Then he kissed her.It wasn't gentle.It was slow, intense—like he had been holding back for too long and finally let himself lose control.Caliste's breath caught in her throat as his hand cupped her cheek, his lips moving against hers with a hunger she hadn't expected. Her hands found his chest, fingers tightening against the fabric of his shirt as if she didn't trust her own knees to hold her up.For a moment, she forgot why they were doing any of this.The marriage. The heir clause. The rules.In that moment, it felt… real.Too real.She pulled away f

CHAPTER 3: Coffee, Confessions, and Complications

The clink of cutlery and the soft scrape of a chair filled the grand Velmore dining hall as Caliste slid into a vacant spot at the long table. They are invited for a gathering hosted by the Velmores last night. Everyone left after dinner leaving only her and Lucian to accompany Victoria, and Victoria insisted to let them stay for the night. Lucian was already seated at the head, sipping his coffee, looking like the front page of a fashion magazine. He didn't even flinch when she grabbed a croissant and bit into it like she hadn't eaten in days. Victoria left early for her morning walk in the courtyard accompanied by the trusted butler."Sleep well?" he asked without looking up.Caliste narrowed her eyes. "Like a baby. You?"He finally glanced at her, one brow lifting. "I would've, if someone hadn't kicked me in her sleep."She blinked, chewing. "I kicked you?""Twice," he said flatly. "Right in the ribs. I thought I was under attack.""You were," she said with a smirk. "It was insti

CHAPTER 4: The Past Has Lipstick

Next day, Back at the PenthouseThe sound of heels echoed through the marble floors like an approaching storm. The elevator opened.Caliste reading her book in the living room, sipping chamomile tea as soft jazz played in the background. Peaceful. Calm. Almost too calm.Then came the shrill voice."Lucian! Darling!"Caliste blinked. Who the hell? A tall woman in a red bodycon dress, legs for days, lips painted like sin. She looked like she'd stepped straight out of a perfume commercial and into a soap opera.Lucian emerge from his study, expression unreadable. His hands were in his pockets, but his shoulders were tense. The woman approaches Caliste.Caliste stood. "Friend of yours?" her eyes directed to Lucian, who is already infront of them.The woman turned with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You must be Caliste.""I am. And you are?"She extended her manicured hand. "Danica. Lucian's ex-fiancée."Caliste raised a brow but didn't take the hand. "Oh. One of those."Danica laug

CHAPTER 5: Playing Pretend

Caliste was halfway through brushing her hair when the knock came. Lucian didn't wait to be invited. He pushed open her door, already in his sleek black suit, adjusting his cufflinks. "We're leaving in ten." Caliste blinked. "Leaving? Where?" "The dinner. I told you." "No, you didn't." He arched a brow. "I definitely did." She groaned. "Lucian, I'm in pajamas. You expect me to get ready in ten minutes?" "You used to get ready in five when you partied with your friends." "That was for tequila and karaoke. Not some formal dinner with billionaires." He smirked. "Same principle. Just less tequila." Caliste huffed but rushed to her closet. "What's this dinner for, anyway?" "Investors. Old money. Very conservative. They'll be expecting my wife." She paused, her fingers brushing a sleek red gown. "So… I'm a prop tonight." "Not a prop," Lucian said casually. "More like… a polished distraction." She gave him a dry look. "That's worse." Ten minutes later, they arrived at a high-

CHAPTER 6: The Ghost of Old Flames

The sun had barely risen when Caliste stretched in bed, her body tangled in the silky sheets of the villa. She blinked sleepily, momentarily forgetting where she was. The distant sound of waves reminded her.Island. Villa. "Honeymoon." And Lucian freaking Velmore.She turned—and saw the other side of the bed empty. Just a dent in the pillow and the scent of his cologne lingering faintly.He was probably running or swimming. Or brooding somewhere shirtless and dramatic.She shuffled to the kitchen, only to find him there, coffee in hand, shirtless indeed, wearing joggers like a walking magazine cover."Morning, wife," he said with a teasing grin. "Sleep well?""I would've if your cologne didn't try to choke me to death.""Admit it. You like it.""I'd rather admit I like sand in my shoes."Lucian laughed and slid a cup toward her. "Big plans today?""I thought I'd read. Nap. Maybe throw myself into the ocean if you keep acting smug."He sipped his coffee. "You love it."She snorted—but

CHAPTER 7: Stirring the Storm

Caliste stood in front of the mirror in a flowy white sundress, one hand on her hip. A breeze came through the balcony doors, lifting the edge of the skirt. It was simple, sweet—and perfect for exactly what she planned.She smiled to herself. She accepted Jace invitation for a coffee just to make Lucian jealous.Lucian was in for a little surprise.Down by the beach café, Jace was already waiting, sunglasses on, shirt loose and open like every model on a travel magazine cover. She walked up, hips swaying, pretending not to see Lucian lounging on a nearby sunbed with a book he wasn't reading.Jace stood and grinned. "Wow. You look…""Like someone who didn't get ditched for prom this time?" she said with a wink.He laughed. "I deserved that. I was an idiot.""You still might be," she teased, sitting down. "But I'm giving you five minutes to convince me otherwise."Meanwhile, Lucian's jaw clenched behind his book. He didn't hear a word on the page. He only saw Caliste laughing—really lau

CHAPTER 8: A Dinner of Almosts

Later That DayCaliste wandered to the beach, still fuming. How could one man be so emotionally constipated and still make her stomach twist with one look?She sat under a shaded cabana, trying to read, when a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts."Alone again?" Jace asked, appearing with two cold drinks.She forced a smile. "Seems to be a theme lately."He handed her one and sat beside her. "He doesn't look like he deserves you.""You don't know him.""Neither do you."She blinked. "Excuse me?"Jace shrugged. "You don't know the real him, Caliste. Not the way someone should know their partner. You've been playing house for three years, right? But did he ever actually let you in?"The words hit a little too close."I thought I knew him," she admitted. "But now? I'm not sure."Jace leaned closer. "You could do better.""I could do worse," she muttered.He chuckled. "You still have that fire.""Be careful, you might get burned."Suddenly, a shadow fell across the cabana.Lucian.He s

CHAPTER 9: The Breaking Point

Caliste stood barefoot at the shoreline, the water lapping at her toes. The moon reflected silver over the waves, mocking her quiet heartbreak.She wrapped her arms around herself. Why had she hoped Lucian would say something—anything? Even just, "I care." But instead, he sat there in silence, choosing safety over honesty.She heard footsteps in the sand."Didn't expect to see you out here alone," Jace said gently.Caliste didn't turn to him. "I needed air.""You okay?""No," she said honestly.He stepped beside her. "He's not worth your tears."She gave a short laugh. "I'm not crying.""But you want to."Caliste glanced at him then, his profile softened by the moonlight. He was charming in a safe way. Familiar. Easy.And tonight, that felt… tempting."I guess I'm stupid," she said. "For thinking he'd change.""You're not stupid," Jace murmured. "You're hopeful. There's a difference."She looked down. "Maybe I should've married someone like you."His breath hitched slightly."You know

CHAPTER 10: The Betrayal That Burned

The elevator ride to Lucian's penthouse was long, even though it only took seconds.After her departure, Lucian followed with a private jet owned by the Velmores. They met again in the docking station and a trusted driver picks them up to be brought back in the penthouse.Lucian stood stiffly beside Caliste, his gaze focused on the red numbers ticking up. She didn't bother to look at him. Arms folded across her chest, lips pressed tight, she stared straight ahead, jaw tense.Ding.The doors opened into the cold, sleek luxury of Lucian's penthouse. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the city skyline. Everything was in its place—polished, pristine, and perfectly empty.Like them.Lucian walked in first, tossing his keys on the marble counter. "I have a flight tomorrow."Caliste set her bag down slowly. "I didn't ask."He paused at the kitchen island, his back to her. "Business in Paris. Might take a few days."She shrugged off her coat. "Take as long as you need. Or don't come back at all.

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