Chapter 2
“Think whatever you want. If you’re convinced there’s someone else, fine–believe what you want.”
My voice was calm, detached.
“Enough!”
Thomas finally snapped and bellowed, “Claire, don’t think you can trample all over this family. I’m giving you three days to
come to your senses.”
“Either fix this marriage.”
“Or we’ll see you in court–and you’ll walk away with not a cent.”
“Don’t forget–everything you have now came from me.”
His words were cutting.
Everyone expected me to cave.
Instead, I turned and walked away without so much as a glance behind me.
Outside, Daniel West was already waiting for me.
“I’ve sent someone to Europe,” he said with a quiet smile. “We’ll get the answers you’re looking for soon.”
“Thanks,” I said.
“I’ll need you in court in three days. You’ll be my attorney.”
Exhausted, I slumped into the backseat of his car and pulled up a surveillance clip on my phone.
There it was–Brandon’s beloved plush bear, casually sauntering out of the guest bedroom… and dancing in front of the
living room camera.
Three days would be enough–enough to prepare, enough to end this face once and for all.
I had planned to stay in a hotel, only to find all my credit cards had been frozen.
That’s when it hit me–the Lancasters had been quietly taking back control over the past year.
Even the bank account I’d used for twenty years had silently been re–registered under Brandon’s name.
It looked like I had a picture–perfect marriage.
But in truth, I was nothing more than a guest in my own life..
I spent the night at Daniel’s place. The next morning, I returned to the office to pick up a few things.
The moment I walked into the lobby, whispers flared up around me.
“Biting the hand that feeds her. She marries into money and still complains. What an idiot.”
“All he does is sleep with a teddy bear! Big deal–I do the same!”
“She probably thinks Mr. Lancaster’s lost his look–must be lining up some boy toys already.”
Chapter 2
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The stares were vicious–like I was a defendant in a public trial.
Before I could say a word, Brandon’s voice sliced through the tension behind me.
“Enough. Who told you you could run your mouths? Get back to work.”
The employees scattered, grumbling.
“Claire,” he said softly, stepping toward me, “I got you something.”
He pulled a luxury watch from his bag and held it out.
Gasps followed.
“A limited–edition Patek Philippe? Only three exist–and all were bought by private collectors!”
“Mr. Lancaster must’ve pulled every string possible to get this. So romantic.”
People looked on with envy.
But my expression didn’t change.
“I’m here for my mother’s pendant,” I said coldly. “You can save it–for your teddy bear.”
Brandon froze.
The crowd immediately turned hostile.
“She’s insane.”
“Ungrateful witch.”
I ignored them and headed upstairs.
The pendant–an old cross my late parents left me–had always hung around my neck. They said it would protect me. A few months ago, Brandon had complained his office felt haunted–cold, off, and full of strange noises.
So I took the pendant off and left it there for him.
nce then, no more strange noises.
But now, he didn’t deserve it.
As I walked into his office, I saw Madison crouched on the floor, playing with the baby.
“Oh good, you’re back, Ms. Whitmore,” she said with fake cheer. “Isn’t he adorable? How could you even think of leaving a child like this?”
She scooped him up and walked over like she owned the place.
“Move.”
I wrinkled my nose in disgust.
“Ms. Whitmore,” she pressed, “Not even a glance? He’s your son!”
“Get out of my way.”
Chapter 2
I shoved her aside without a word, marched into the office, and took the cross pendant off the wall.
Then came the crying.
I turned back to see both Madison and the baby sprawled on the floor.
Right at that moment, Brandon walked in with a few senior execs-
-right in time to see the mess unfold.
Chapter 2
