All Chapters of The Shadow Husband : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

"What are you doing with those papers, Claire?"Julian’s deep voice cut through the silence of the dimly lit office, illuminated only by the desk lamp. The man had just entered, still wearing a black shirt with its collar slightly unbuttoned. He stopped at the threshold when he saw Claire standing before his desk with a clear folder in her hands.Claire turned slowly. Her face was calm, but her fingers gripped the edge of the papers tightly. "I’m rereading our future, Julian. Or more precisely, the boundaries we set for ourselves to destroy that future."Julian stepped closer, his eyes following Claire’s hand as she pulled out the sheets of their marriage contract. The document they had signed on the first night they lived together. It contained clauses about dividing personal affairs, prohibiting unnecessary physical contact, and a promise to separate once the Blackwood family matters were resolved."That was your protection," Julian said in his usual flat tone. "You were the one who

"Claire, have you seen this morning’s news?"Julian’s voice sounded heavy through the bedroom door, but Claire did not answer. She remained frozen on the bed, her hands shaking violently as she clutched her phone. The bright screen light felt like a blade cutting into her eyes.Notifications on her social media were exploding. Thousands of messages and red alert badges popped up every second, all carrying the same aura of hatred.An article from the most influential gossip portal had just run a headline in bold capital letters: MARRIAGE FOR MONEY: YOUNG WOMAN SELLS HERSELF TO UNSTABLE BLACKWOOD HEIR.Claire swallowed, her mouth tasting bitter. She swiped through her phone screen, reading line after line of text crafted to destroy her life. There were photos of her from a year earlier, when she had worked part-time as a barista at a small coffee shop.The pictures had been taken without her knowledge, highlighting her tired, sweaty appearance. They were paired with a photo of her weari

"Pour more champagne, Andrew. We have to celebrate that little whore’s downfall before the sun sets." Eleanor grinned wide as she lifted her crystal glass. Her heavily made-up face shone bright. She felt victory was firmly in her grasp. News of Claire’s scandal had become public fodder, and she was certain Grandpa Silas would not stand idly by while the Blackwood family’s honor was dragged through the mud. Andrew Adeline poured the drink with slightly trembling hands, though a faint smile touched his lips. "You’re right. Silas will surely revoke Julian’s inheritance soon. And as compensation for the ‘moral’ suffering we’ve endured as Claire’s parents, he’ll give us a hefty check to keep quiet from the media." "That’s a brilliant plan," Eleanor sipped her drink gracefully. "Once we have that money, we can pay off our gambling debts and take a vacation to Paris. Let Claire rot with her mentally unstable husband." Just as Eleanor’s laughter burst out again, the front door slammed

"Are you sure you want to go to campus today, Claire?"Julian’s voice cut through the morning silence in the dining room. The man stood by the large window, fastening his silver wristwatch. Claire had just emerged from their bedroom, fully dressed in her university attire. She only nodded slowly. She had already braced herself to face scornful stares, sneering whispers in the hallways, or perhaps another projector displaying fabricated photos of her."I can’t keep hiding forever, Julian. If I don’t show up, they’ll think all those stories are true," Claire replied as she reached for her canvas bag.Julian turned to face his wife, his gaze unreadable. "If that’s the case, check your phone before you walk out the door."Claire furrowed her brow. She had hesitated to turn on the device. The memory of thousands of hateful notifications she’d received the day before still left a small trauma in her mind. With slightly trembling fingers, she pressed the power button. She prepared for the wo

"I am going downstairs for a bit, maybe an hour at the gym."Julian’s voice drifted from the bedroom doorway. Claire, sitting on the edge of the bed, pretended to be occupied with her phone. She looked up to see her husband dressed in a sleeveless black workout shirt that highlighted his powerful biceps. A gym bag was slung over his shoulder."Oh, alright. I will probably read for a while and then go to sleep," Claire replied, keeping her tone as flat as possible.Julian gave a brief nod. "Do not forget to lock the balcony door. I am leaving now."The moment the front door closed and the electronic lock clicked into place, Claire sprang from the bed. Her heart hammered against her ribs like a drum. This was the chance she had been waiting for. One hour was more than enough time if she moved quickly.She reached into her nightstand drawer and pulled out a small USB drive she had prepared earlier that afternoon. She stepped toward Julian’s study with silent footsteps. The room always fe