Chapter 37: His Choice, His AbsenceClaire’s POVI clenched my jaw, enduring the pain I was in. I opened my eyes and caught Dante glancing at men through the side of his eyes.“Drop me off, I will take a cab.” I uttered coldly. While Dante maneuvered the car, searching for a legal U turn, Alex spoke, “no, take her to the hospital, I will take a cab.”A statement that was supposed to at least ease the pain I was feeling, it did not. Because the fact that he was willing to leave me alone to go to his damn first love does not change anything.We reached a nearby corner, and Alex stepped out, hailing a cab with urgency. I watched him go, my heart breaking a little more with each step he took away from me. The car started moving again, the hospital not far away now. I leaned back, closing my eyes, trying to block out the pain, but it was impossible. The physical wounds were nothing compared to the emotional agony ripping through me.I was his wife, but in moments like this, it was clear w
Chapter 38: I Want To Be HereThe ride to my apartment was quiet, the hum of the engine a backdrop to my thoughts. Dante had insisted on driving me home, ensuring I was settled before leaving. I appreciated his concern, but the silence between us was heavy, laden with unspoken words. As we pulled up to my building, he turned to me with a serious expression."If you need anything, Mrs. Vermont, do not hesitate to call," he said, his voice firm."Thank you, Dante. I appreciate it," I replied, forcing a small smile. He nodded, watching me until I disappeared into the building.The elevator ride to the penthouse floor was slow, each second dragging as I leaned against the wall, my body protesting with every movement. When I finally reached my apartment, I fumbled with the keys, my hands trembling. The door swung open, revealing the familiar yet stark emptiness of his penthouse. I stepped inside, closing the door behind me with a soft click that echoed in the silence. The lights switched o
Chapter 39: Left Claire’s POV It has been two days since Alex had been here. That day when he returned after the bombing incident, he said he had to be at his father’s side dealing with their businesses and the impact of the bombing to the value of their stocks in the market. They had to prevent it from going down further and ensure that their partners and shareholders as well as other stakeholders are secured, or else, if they start losing their trust on the Vermont Corporations, they would start pulling away to not get dragged down if the company goes down. The business news now focused on the Global Hospitality Summit, the standing of the top companies in the country, and the blow the Vermont Corporations had received from the bombuing attack. There were guesses, speculations, and assumptions as to why it happened on the same day of the commencement of the Global Hospitality Summit. Some speculated that it must have been done by rival companies, or a terrorist, or a former employe
Chapter 40: LiesClaire’s POVThe room spun as I processed the information. My mother had left me a financial support, I am not quite sure yet how much, and my father had kept it from me. Not only that, but he had also lied about me being hospitalized to access the funds and spent it without my knowledge. Anger surged through me, mingling with a deep sense of betrayal."Miss Hugh, are you there?" Mary’s voice pulled me back to the present."Yes, I am here. Can we meet to discuss this in person?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady."Of course. When would be convenient for you?" the agent replied."Tomorrow morning. I will text you my address." I said."That works
Chapter 41: The Name You CarryClaire’s POVHours passed as I went through each document, my anger and sadness intensifying with every page. I felt as if I was drowning in a sea of lies and betrayal. It was not his money, it was mine! Left by mom. How dare he use it? And I never knew about it, he never told me.If only I knew, I could have used it to leave that family and live on my own. I would not have had to endure their endless glares and harsh treatment of me.As the afternoon turned into evening, I realized I had not even thought about my wounds as I was drowned in scanning every single page of the documents left by the agent— Mary. I pushed back from the table, wincing as the movement pulled at my stitches. I needed to take care of myself, even as I dealt with this matter. I do not k
Chapter 42: EmeraldClaire’s POVI held my breath and sucked in my stomach so Hilary, the assigned attendant, could zip the back of my dress quicker. I turned as I stood before the grand mirror, the emerald green evening gown clung to my silhouette with an almost magnetic grace. The luxurious fabric cascaded down my body, its rich hue highlighting the intricate updo of my hair, which perfectly complements the elegance of the dress. The bodice, artfully gathered to one side, cradles my torso, its asymmetrical design adding an intriguing touch of sophistication. A delicate sweep of fabric drapes over my shoulder, shimmering gently under the chandelier's light as if whispering secrets of timeless beauty.My eyes are drawn to the intricate detailing on the bodice, where delicate embellishments catch the light, twinkling like distant stars in a night sky. Th
Chapter 43: PaparazziClaire’s POVThe limousine ride to the hotel was quiet, with the city lights flashing by. I looked out the window, seeing the neon signs and busy streets. Alex held my hand, giving me a sense of comfort.But I doubt comfort ever existed in his chaotic world.When we arrived at the grand hotel, it glittered under the night sky. A valet opened the door, and Alex got out first, offering me his hand. I took it and stepped onto the red carpet leading to the entrance. The moment I did, a flurry of flashes blinded me momentarily. Paparazzi had gathered outside the hotel, their cameras clicking furiously as they tried to capture every moment of our arrival."Alex, over here!" one of them shouted and everyone else followed while they were all pushing
Chapter 44: A Night of PretenseClaire’s POVAlex's father, Alessandro Vermont, stood in the center of the room, surrounded by important people. He saw us right away, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked us over."Ah, Alex, Claire," he greeted us with a polite smile. "You both look splendid.""Thank you, Father," Alex replied, respectful but firm. "We wouldn't miss this for the world."Alessandro looked at me and, for a moment, I thought I saw approval. "Claire, you look elegant tonight. I'm glad to see you by my son's side.""Thank you, Mr. Vermont," I said, smiling back. "It's an honor to be here."Alessandro nodded, “Please, enjoy the night,” and turned
Chapter 81: The ProposalClaire's hands trembled as she fought to shut the door. Her voice was low and angry, almost a hiss, "Leave, Alex. Leave. I don’t want you here." But no matter how hard she pushed, Alex's grip on the door was stronger. He wasn't letting go this time.She glared at him, her heart pounding in her chest, but the truth was, his sudden presence after all these months had unraveled her. She was pregnant, alone, and already emotionally exhausted. Seeing Alex, of all people, standing in front of her only intensified everything she had bottled up inside. Her emotions clashed violently. The man she loved — the man who had hurt her — was standing just inches away.“I’m not leaving,” Alex said firmly, his voice filled with a quiet desperation. “Claire, please… just let me talk to you.”Tears pricked at the corners of Claire’s eyes as she struggled with her emotions. She wanted to hate him, to push him away and protect herself from any more pain. But as she stood there, fac
Chapter 80: Leave, AlexTanya’s sharp voice cut through the phone after the nonstop calls from Alex. "What do you want, Alex?" Now that he learned about Claire’s pregnancy, he couldn’t calm down, and the search for her was too slow and it was making him restless, he could not just sit down and wait. There was an easier way, and that was through Tanya, so he reached out to her multiple times.Alex took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. "I need to know where Claire is." Silence. Tanya refused to reply. She promised Claire that she would not tell a soul where she was."I know she's pregnant, Tanya," Alex continued, his voice betraying a hint of desperation. "I need to find her. I need to be with her."Tanya’s sigh crackled through the phone. “Pregnant or not, you’ve lost the right to know where she is. You made your choices, Alex. Now, Claire’s making hers.”Alex closed his eyes, pushing back the frustration. “I understand how it looks. I made mistakes — I was so focused on the compa
Chapter 79: His Child“We’ve found something,” Jones’s voice said, pulling Alex from his haze.“What is it?” Alex asked, straightening up in his chair, suddenly alert.“We tracked down Tanya’s relatives in the Philippines. Took a while, but we’ve confirmed a connection. She’s got a cousin there, and from what we can tell, Claire could be staying with them.”Alex felt a rush of adrenaline, a flicker of hope he hadn’t felt in weeks. Finally, there was something concrete.“Do we know where they live?” he asked, his tone sharp, all business now.“Not yet, but we’re working on it. We’ll need to send someone over, a private investigator. We’ve already got people on the ground following up leads, but it’s delicate. We’ll need time.”“How much time?”“Could take a couple of weeks, maybe more. We’re doing everything we can.”Weeks. The word echoed in Alex’s mind. Claire could be slipping further away every moment that passed, but there was no other option. He had to be patient. Something he ha
Chapter 78: MiserableThe following days passed in a blur of frustration, alcohol, and regret. Alex could not shake the feeling of loss, the gnawing emptiness that had settled in his chest since Claire disappeared. He had always prided himself on being in control, on having everything within his grasp, of everything going his way. But now, everything felt like it was slipping through his fingers like he was not in control of things anymore. Claire had become an unforeseen factor that was driving his life into ruin. His apartment, once filled with the quiet presence of Claire, felt cold and empty. It was not just the absence of her physical presence — it was the absence of the warmth and life she had brought into his space. Without her, the apartment felt like a hollow shell, a reflection of the growing void inside him. Before, he never minded, he never noticed, for he never let anyone in ever again after Aubrey Chen, but somehow, Claire made everything different. The once cold and ho
Chapter 77: Can't Hide ForeverThe phone rang again, its shrill tone slicing through the suffocating silence of Alex’s office. He was slouched in his chair, a half empty glass of whiskey resting on the edge of his desk. The burn of alcohol did little to numb the persistent ache gnawing at him ever since Claire disappeared. For a few seconds, he stared at the phone, considering letting it ring, as if ignoring the call could somehow silence the storm raging inside him.But something about the persistent ringing was tugging him from his haze. With a frustrated sigh, he reached for the phone.“Yes?” he answered when he recognized the caller, his voice rough and groggy from drinking all day.“Sir, it is Jones,” came the steady, familiar voice of his security head. “We have finally tracked down Claire’s last known whereabouts.”Alex straightened in his chair, his heartbeat quickening. “Go on,” he urged, gripping the phone tightly.“She boarded a flight to the Philippines. We confirmed it th
Chapter 76: Fight for HerAlex pulled out his phone, staring at Tanya's contact. She had always been close to Claire, her best friend. If anyone knew where Claire had gone, it would be her. With a deep breath, Alex tapped her name and waited for the line to connect.The dial tone rang once, twice, then a click as Tanya picked up."Hello? " Tanya's voice came through, cautious.Alex cleared his throat. “Tanya, it is Alex.”There was a pause on the other end. "What do you want, Alex?"“I need to talk to you. About Claire.” His voice was firm but not demanding. He did not want to escalate things, but he needed answers. “I need to know where she is.”Tanya scoffed, the sound sharp and unforgiving. “You need to know where she is? Are you serious? After everything, Alex? After all those photos of you and Aubrey?”“It is not what you think,” he started, but Tanya cut him off.“Oh, it is exactly what I think. Do you think I did not see the articles? The photos? Claire saw them too, Alex. She
Chapter 75: ClosureA few days had passed since the divorce papers landed on Alex’s desk, and despite that he had pushed the papers in his table drawers, out of his sight, the fact that he had to make a decision and the existence of CClaire’s signature on the paper did not leave his mind. The cold reality of Claire’s absence became more noticeable as he moved through his daily routines. She was gone, and there was no escaping it. He tried to bury himself in his work, as he always had when things got complicated, but this time, even Vermont Corp. could not keep his mind from drifting back to her, in addition to the relentless inquiry of Alessandro Vermont about Claire each article he had read on the internet about Aubrey Chen. Alex never had an answer to them and just let his father get mad over it, accusing Alex of manipulating him to get the position he had wanted, only abiding by the conditions he had set to get what he wanted, and now that he had it, he had completely neglected his
Chapter 74: Life He Wanted, Needed"Mr. Vermont, this just arrived for you," one of the assistant secretaries in his office said, placing it on his desk.Alex barely glanced at it, offering a distracted nod. "Thanks, just leave it there," he replied, his eyes still on the screen. He had been engrossed in back to back meetings, discussing expansion strategies, reviewing reports, and making decisions that would impact the company’s future. His mind was occupied with the endless responsibilities that came with being the new president.The envelope remained unopened on the corner of his desk until he finished reviewing a lengthy financial report and he finally reached for it, intending to deal with it quickly before moving on to the next task.He frowned looking at the envelope with only the return address of Humprey’s Law Firm printed on it. He had no idea as to why the law firm had sent him papers knowing that he was not facing any lawsuits or any legal matter which if it involved the c
Chapter 73: The AnomalyThe soft murmur of conversation and the clinking of glasses surrounded Alex and Aubrey as they finished their dinner at one of New York's most exclusive restaurants. The dim lighting cast a warm glow over the elegantly set table, making the evening feel almost intimate despite the public setting. Alex glanced at Aubrey, who was smiling softly as she swirled the last of her wine in her glass."That was lovely," Aubrey said, her voice smooth and melodic. She set her glass down and looked at him with a satisfied expression. "It has been a while since I have had such a relaxing dinner."Alex nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I’m glad you enjoyed it." He signaled the waiter, who promptly brought the bill. As Alex reached for his wallet, he could not help but notice the flicker of movement outside the restaurant's large windows. Paparazzi. They had been spotted.It had started with a few people recognizing them, whispers spread through the restaurant like w