Perfect Illusion Claudia Tan Novels & Stories

During the thirty years I was Eric's mate, he was recognized throughout the pack as the perfect partner. It wasn't until a shewolf appeared at his funeral with a will that everything came undone. "Eric left a will before he died. Everything under his name belongs to me!" Her voice was shrill, and her eyes were filled with jealousy as she glared at me. "He forbade me from appearing in front of you while he was alive. "But so what? He gave his entire inheritance to me! I'm the one he truly loved!" Every word of the will was filled with Eric's deep remorse and desire to make amends to the shewolf. It was as if the thirty years we had spent together had all been a figment of my imagination

In the blink of an eye, 20 years had passed. Candice stood by the gallery's floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at the busy streets of New Aeravale. She had inherited Kathleen's beauty and her natural gift for business. At 25, she was already a rising star in the art world. "Candice, it's time for the interview," her assistant said, reminding her. It was a feature for the Moments magazine—A Legacy Reborn: The Art Empire of Kathleen Sullivan's Daughter.

His father was dead. Dressed in a long dusty pink shimmering gown She looked breathtaking. Both women carried themselves as royalty. Claudia wore a white breathtaking cut-out, open-back side slit dress. It sat beautifully on her hips and fell on the floor. It wouldn’t be a wonder if men would fall over her. What else was expected of them? They belonged to one of the richest families in the country. Lara was topped on her way but Claudia did not deter from the path. I took a calming breath to soothe my nerves.

I adjust Claudia in my arms, shifting her backpack onto my shoulder so I can hold her closer to my chest. My beast calms slightly at the serene expression on her face, but I’m not convinced. She’s too light—so thin I can feel the ridges of her ribs through her clothes. Scratches mar her delicate features, but they do nothing to diminish her beauty. Claudia has always been striking, her small, sharp features and full lips giving her an air of fragility. But the Claudia I knew was anything but fragile. She’d look like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, only to hit you with the force of a hurricane.

After spending the whole day with Zander, going from place to place, getting her hair done, nails done, and finding the perfect outfit, Claudia was finally ready for her date with Sean. She was wearing a cold shoulder black dress that hugged her curves and stopped about an inch from her knees. Her hair was straightened and left to flow down her back like a copper waterfall and her nails were painted crimson and sharpened as well as pointed to look like claws. As Claudia walked into the Dragon's Den, All the men stopped and stared but her eyes were only focused on Sean who couldn't take his eyes off her even when the waitress was obviously trying to get his attention.

Everyone who knows her would agree that her name is synonymous with trouble. “Fine.” She spoke again. Preston was half-convinced that he was really thinking out loud because he was staying still with his mouth shut. “What?” “I’ll leave. I’m clearly making you overthink.” She said, matter-of-factly. “I’ll leave later. Let me have a five-minute nap because I came straight here from my shoot in Hong Kong and I am exhausted.” Even when she’s exhausted like she said, her skin is still perfect and her face has not become less angelic. Her lips were swollen, but that was because of Preston’s lack of control. In his eyes, Claudia is exactly how every article described her to be — perfect.

“Do you know what it feels like to be a black duck from a long line of golden gooses? What it feels like to be sidelined because you're never enough? When the one you love so dearly doesn't even regard you? Do you know what it means to have insults from family members? Morning, day, and night. Either directly or indirectly because you're not as good as they expect? Do you know what it feels like to stare at the mirror in pain because you're tired of seeing the same damn person every time? An imperfect person who has refused to improve, and is the cause of all your issues! Do you know what it feels like to want to be perfect, but yet you keep messing up? “I question the old man, and he studie

Clara stepped away from the backdrop and headed to the side lounge, carefully removing the heels, sighing in relief. “Need help?” Adrian’s voice came, low and calm. Clara froze. She hadn’t seen him approach. “I’m fine,” she replied, but her voice wavered. Adrian chuckled, crouching beside her anyway. “You say that, but your feet look like they’ve been tortured.” “I’ve worn worse,” Clara said, leaning back into the couch. “I’m sure you have. The world expects perfection from women like you.” “I am perfection,” she said, but it was a half-joke.

And I would be his Luna… “Stop staring at him like you can’t wait to get him inside a room and—” “Claudia!” I squealed, spinning around to stare at her. I could feel heat rush up my cheeks. “Stop saying embarrassing things!” Claudia merely shrugged. “Well, I’m just saying the truth. Look at him! He’s tall, handsome, with a face that could rival the moon goddess herself! If he were my mate, I’d stare at him all day instead of staring at the moon.”

Claudia muttered darkly as her eyes narrowed dangerously at me. She turned on her heels and quickly made her way out of the garden before I could say anything else. The three of us watch her leave. Claudia truly stood out from the other maids. For one, she was very beautiful. Her long honey brown hair was curled into neat locks, and she had brightly colored make up on, especially her cherry red lipstick. Although she was supposed to be a maid just like the rest of us, something about her made her feel like an important person. “I have to go first. I’m so sorry about this,” I quickly apologized.