160"Why don't you accept it, Zara? It's over. You lost the battle before it began. You can't succeed because Hunter was never yours. In anything, you only made him realize his feelings towards his wife."My chest thrummed with a building need to scream. Those were the exact words Claire said."I know that, so what? I don't want Hunter for love. I just want his money and his body."I freed my hand and came out. I was getting annoyed by Enzo's persistence. He followed me out, leaving a wet trail after him."Why don't you go away for a while? I need some privacy." I glared at him with disdain but he won't budge."Zara, I truly can't help myself. Don't you think I would have walked away the first time I learned that you go to sex and BDSM Clubs? Except that I can't. I've badly fallen for you.""Not my headache. Sort out your emotions and move on. I can't settle down with any man who has no big bank balance, let alone with a man who works as a personal security guard." I didn't even spare
161Zara's POV"Oh god, Zara! I'm scared for you." My fake sobs came to a halt as I heard an equally jarring fake gasp on the call. "How big is the knife? Is it a katana? Or a machete?" The mockery in those words pierced my ego like the tip of an obsidian blade. When I say obsidian blade, I remember reading once that it is the sharpest blade in the world. One can only imagine how deep the tip wounded my ego.Claire was answering Hunter's phone. It couldn't get any worse than this. She sounded proud... Like nothing could feel better than having Hunter under her control. Hunter under her control— I was forced to picture him with eyes staring aimlessly in the air. Like a man possessed by an evil entity while Claire stood behind him, giving him commands that he followed like a robot. The image shook me. It felt like Claire was holding a sword on my head. There is no other way I could describe this situation because if Hunter believed her words then I'm so gone. It sent a shiver down my
162Zara's POVFor the next two days, our attention was on Jack Stones, the detective. It was not startling that he was able to find most of my information— with evidence. One must think that it would have left me with sweat and tears. But no, all it did was thrill me. It was disappointing that Hunter was not in my control any longer. He was being controlled by Claire and it had led him to hire a personal investigator. Considering how stealthily Jack Stones worked, he might have received special orders to keep it private. It couldn't hide from my eyes though. The eyes I have come to look for me in exchange of physical pleasure. "He's here at the sex club." Enzo said over the phone. Today was the third day and I was hoping to see Jack here. He had been to all the places and people I was connected to. This was the last place he was coming to visit and I was here to give him a surprise. Or rather, a deal of life and death. "Let him come. I'm waiting for him." I replied while taking a
163"This can't be true." Hunter muttered it for the tenth time in the last five minutes.Jack was watching Hunter closely. Sweat beads rolled down the length of his spine as he tried not to give away his anxiety in front of the wealthiest man who hired him to find him the truth. Except that he was giving his client lies. Lies that he fabricated for getting sèx from Zara. Lies for saving Zara from going to jail. Lies for helping her step-up her game... And lies to destroy Claire's character in Hunter's eyes."Unfortunately, it is. I cross checked everything myself, Mr. MacIntyre. It's not what you expected to hear, but it's the truth. Your ex-wife was the one wearing an innocent face all this time, not Miss Levine. " Jack kept his hand on Hunter's shoulder as he shook his face.He was in awe at how Hunter kept his features professionally impassive. But white. Ghostly white. His lips were sealed in a line as he attempted to stay indifferent and those dark eyes were on the verge of lo
164Hunter didn't move even after Detective Jack left twenty minutes ago. His body was locked in place while his eyes continuously streamed. There was just one thing his heart chanted, "Claire is innocent. I know she's innocent."Alas, the evidence in his hold made his breaths hitch. Hunter languidly lowered his head. His colorless face puckered a little as he clenched his jaw to the point of breaking. "This can't..." He faded out as anxiety assailed him. While gawking at the stack of papers he had in a tight grip, he wished that he had never hired Jack Stones. He wished that he could just get away with Claire from this world and its shit load of issues behind to somewhere only they both existed. He wished that the detective didn't come today. Today... Of all days! Hunter flickered his lashes and looked around. He was taken aback when everything around him looked black and white. He felt as though color was leached out of the world, leaving him with only black and white. There were
165The dinner date was awesome. Hunter blushed more than Claire. Although he chased after her to convince her for a date, Claire surprised him with his favorite food and flowers. The scented candle added beauty to their table while the surroundings were made of dark wooden walls, giving the vibe of being inside the trunk of a tree. And guess what, the walls were soundproof. It was a good opportunity to make it up to Claire for the tasty food and everything, but Hunter's heart was restless. As much as he wanted to spend more time with her, he had to grab her hands and hold her from stepping out of her gown. "I will tear it off your mouth watering figure, Dove. I just have something to take care of tonight." He had said. Claire looked disappointed but she let it pass with a radiating smile. "Okay, just be safe. Do apply the herbal paste I packed for you. It'll help heal your infected wounds faster. " "I won't forget that." Hunter had replied whilst suppressing his tears. Then when
166Cole was out of breath and all red when he stopped on the top of the lighthouse. Hunter was facing the water, his back rigid and a gloomy air emanating from him. "Dude, I almost killed myself coming here." Coming to stand next to his best friend, Cole held the railing and leaned forward as he dragged deep breaths. Hunter hasn't moved yet and his profile appeared worrisome. His silence sent an eerie chill along Cole's spine. He straightened and shook Hunter. "Bro! Where are you lost?" Hunter jerked out of his trance with a loud heave. He blinked his eyes and shook his head to restore his composure before giving Cole a defeated look. "You're here, Cole." Hunter muttered in what sounded like the voice of a man who's lost everything. "What's up with you, man? You look pathetic." Hunter looked down in response. "I am not a paranormal creature or something. I won't know unless you speak, buddy. Tell me." Cole poked him with an elbow. "I don't know where to begin!" There was a so
167Although Penny had come to Claire the instant Cole left to meet Hunter, she had been alone in her friend's bedroom since she arrived. Claire was summoned by her father in his study for work-related reasons, leaving Penny with nothing to do. Also, it's been a while since Cole left and her curiosity was growing with each minute. She hadn't thought she would get this update from Cole when she messaged him. Now she was glad that she did. Else nobody would have ever found out that Hunter had bought the services of a detective to search Zara's background. A tremor of indignation ran through her body as she reread Cole's recent text. 'The search indicated Claire's involvement in Zara's attack and that she paid goons to rape Zara. Evidence revealed a whole new face of Claire which Hunter and I can't come to agree with. He's in a doubt something's off.'Some of her anger reduced reading the text again. At least, the last part was relieving enough to bring a smile to her lips. "Good for
287"Hey—""H-Hunter..."Hunter sat up straight, his spine erect, and his face becoming white in shock as fear crept under his skin, listening to Claire's voice.He looked at the clock and gulped a shallow breath. It hadn't been more than an hour since he dropped Claire off to her home, and hearing her panic-stricken voice unsettled him."Dove, what's wrong? Is everything okay at home?" Hunter asked and bit his tongue to stop himself from saying— Did Scott do something again?He heard Claire's heavy breathing and immediately got up."Dove, say something!""H-Hunter... I... I..." Claire sobbed, causing his patience to near its end.At once he grabbed the keys to the bike he rode tonight."Don't worry, Dove, I'm coming over." He literally sprinted towards the door.His body was suddenly cold from terror as Claire's sob was making it worse. Hunter had come around the staircase. He was about to descend when he heard her sniff and ask him not to come.He stalled and stared at nothing in th
286Hunter stared at her, thrown off guard by her words. He reflected back on their meeting in the dark alley, and indeed what he realized made his mouth open a little. Mona hadn't looked like she intended to do anything physically with him. Her grin back then had been playful— one that of a naughty child who knew he was notorious for his mischief. "You can say that I was testing your loyalty towards Claire. I didn't intend to do anything mischievous, Hunter. But you see, Claire ruined everything when she interrupted." Her lips lifted in a sneer as she showed him her left cheek.There was a visible claw mark on her skin from Claire's nails. The scratch was swelling, its edges inflamed and red. Hunter felt bad for her. Now that he knew that Mona didn't mean to do anything condemning in the dark alley of the mall with him, he felt the need to apologize to her on behalf of Claire, but Mona beat him to it as tears flashed in her eyes."No, Hunter. I might want to see you with Claire and
285Hunter's body worked on its own. He felt like someone had trespassed into his territory and snatched one of his shirts that Mona was folding.He growled at her as his eyes seemed to darken even more. In the dim lights he came off as a hunter ready to tear his teeth into her skin and kill her. It wasn't a surprise that Mona was unaffected. She just rolled her eyes and lifted her finely manicured hand to blow over her nails."What the hell are you doing here? How did you come inside?" Hunter hissed."I was trying to be helpful as you can see." Mona said while casting a gaze around.Hunter's walk-in closet was a mess. It looked like a clothes manufacturing factory, unfolded shirts lying here and there, some trousers on the floor as if they were dropped just there after trying them on."I don't need your fucking help, alright! Just tell me why you are here and get the hell out." Hunter gritted out between his clenched teeth.Mona watched his knuckles whiten as he fisted on the shirt h
284"If you think that then I'm happy otherwise in my opinion, Reggie ruined everything I did." Hunter smiled a little awkwardly."That's because you're used to having everything done meticulously, Mr. Billionaire. But for normal people like us some mess and chaos is welcome.""Well then," Hunter sighed. "I'll have to make sure there's some chaos in our relationship."Claire chuckled. Later on, they hopped back on the bike and Claire was the one handling it. Hunter sat behind her, admiring her as she flawlessly rode the bike. There were no words exchanged until Claire stopped the bike on the street some yards away from her house.Hunter blinked his eyes as he looked around."Why here, Dove?""Scott's room's window." She pointed as from where they stood they could clearly see that Scott's room's lights were on."Oh." Hunter got down as he didn't need any further explanation.He wanted to drop her at the gate of her house and watch her go inside. But he deemed it was okay if they got dow
283"You'll never have to fight for any right when you're standing beside me. I'll always make sure you're respected and cherished more than I am. I'll also help you with your career, Dove. You can work at your father's or mine— wherever you're comfortable and I'd always come to pick you up so we can go home together." Hunter's voice was like warm honey, soothing and sweet. But Claire had more to acknowledge than just his heart-touching words. The surrounding was one of them. What had been a lake enveloped in a blanket of darkness was now glowing with golden lights. It felt as though the blanket was lifted off, revealing the beauty it had hidden underneath. "I'll always cherish you, love you and give you space. You will never have to question your worth or love for me.... Because I'll make sure I live up to your expectations." The pause he took allowed Claire to notice where they were standing— in the middle of a four post bamboo arch. There were colorful flowers and green leaves
282"Why are we here, Hunter? I don't have good memories attached to this place." Claire's voice was emotionless and a little hoarse."Do you trust me, Dove?" Hunter said over his shoulder.Claire didn't answer right away, and when she did... It was a small nod, although her eyes displayed her uncertainty."Then ask your heart to calm down. I won't do anything that would multiply your bad memories. Not on purpose!"Claire took a lingering gaze at him before she nodded again and carefully got down of the bike. She looked around into the dark as her heart kicked up a notch. All the excitement she had been feeling since the moment she saw Hunter had drained out of her. Her hands turned cold and she stuck closer to Hunter for his warmth. She ought to feel this way, after all, he's brought her to the place where she experienced her second heartbreak— The Lake.The sky was indigo overhead and the air was cool. The silhouettes of trees around made her jittery. Insects chirped menacingly and
281Although Dominic had been reluctant in the beginning, he told his wife that Hunter had called him a while before the dinner. He wanted to come to their mansion for some reason. Dominic revealed that Hunter prepared some kind of gift for their daughter, and needed his help to execute it. His request was to dim down the lights of the lamps around their garden so Hunter could have a dark set-up. And then the next thing that happened was that they heard commotion outside their window. Since their room was on the ground floor, they heard and saw everything. Hunter was in the garden, and he wasn't alone. His guards were there to help him whatever he planned to do for Claire. Dominic and Andrea also read the messages on the cardboards that Hunter held. One can say that Hunter's surprise proposal wasn't really a secret. His In-laws— correction, his ex-in-laws, who were about to become his in-laws again, had front-row seats to the whole thing.They read every message, saw every expressi
280"I know I was once the person Scott wanted to be like. But after what I did to you, his sister, he's lost all respect for me. I know he wouldn't hesitate to stab me the second he gets the opportunity." Hunter paused. "I don't consider that wrong because what I've done is enough reason for someone to put a blade through my heart.""Hunter!" Claire glared at him, but obviously it was so dark that he couldn't see it. But her hold around his neck, it indicated that she was disappointed. "I'm telling the truth, Claire. What do you think? That I'm only committing my mistakes in front of you. If that's what you think then you don't know me at all." The determination in his voice steeled her spine. "Fixing things with you was my first step toward fixing everything I destroyed." "Your forgiveness meant everything because if you could forgive me, then maybe the others would too. My goal is to make things right with everyone in your family, especially Scott."Claire's jaw unhinged. She was
279"Really?" He sounded playful.Claire hummed near his face and cupped his jaw, "I adore how you tackle challenges head-on and always come out on top." She paused, pecked him on the lips and added, "For me, you're a true champion and that's what captivated my heart.""You think too highly of me.""I just know that you're very skillful and...""And?" Hunter leaned in closer, depositing all his wait on her.Claire's lips tugged at the corners. An idea struck and she pushed him away. Hunter frowned at the loss of contact. But the push stirred his thoughts awake and he realized he was here on a mission. "You didn't answer my question!""What question?" Claire asked playfully."About being my girlfriend.""I'll think about it." She got out of his hold as she stifled her laughs.It was dark so she couldn't see his expression. But from what she knew about him, she knew he was boiling on the inside. Despite being one of the most successful men, he was grumpy and had very little to no pati