1"You look amazing!" Hunter MacIntyre's compliment sent his wife, Claire's blood coursing in her veins like an awakened river."Thanks," She lowered her head while trying to hide her smile. Today was their second wedding anniversary. Claire was a lucky girl to marry the man she loved. She felt her nerves twisting in yummy delight. Her husband was a substitute to slow torture with that look of his. With that tailored suit clinging to his body, he forced eyes to take a look at him. Her gaze traveled to his brown, strong throat, then towards the deliciously straight mouth and up to his black eyes; dark and hooded and so full of secrets. They watched her intently causing her breathing to catch.Hunter hugged her from the back and snuggled her bare shoulder. He enveloped her right in his hold, enjoying the feeling of her being in his arms. "I can't wait to tell the world that I am falling for my own wife." Today was their anniversary. And the day couldn't get any better. Claire woke
2Claire felt exposed to danger. Like a baby bird left in the open. She dragged shallow breaths as she watched her husband hug his ex-girlfriend possessively. He whispered something in Zara's ear, making her eyes water. He wiped them with his hand. By this time, all the cameramen focused on them. Gasps erupted around Claire as Hunter's admirers began to gossip about it. "Oh goodness! Isn't that Zara Levine, Hunter's ex-girlfriend?" "Christ, she looks more beautiful than before!" "Look at Hunter's expression. He's all desperate around her. Damn, he's kissing her!" "They look so good together. But I pity Claire. She must have waited for today wholeheartedly and it had to be ruined like this. Her husband is kissing his ex-girlfriend in front of her. That's insane!" "But why is Zara back? She was married to another man, wasn't she? What's this now?" All the remarks around her made her body heavy. Claire was rooted in her spot. "Claire, let's go inside." Her brother tried to pull he
3 When Claire shook the hazy veil of darkness and came to the surface, the first face she saw was of her mother. Andrea's eyes were red and cheeks flushed. She was in the same dress she donned for Claire and Hunter's wedding anniversary. It was visible just by looking at her that she didn't leave her daughter's side even for one second. "Laire, baby," Andrea impatiently leaned towards her daughter and cupped her face. A tear of relief trickled from her left eye. She kissed her forehead and immediately looked over her shoulder to shout, "Claire is awake, Dominic!" She turned to her daughter again. She removed hair from her eyes and smiled, "How are you feeling now, honey?" She touched her swollen lip gently. Claire just stared back. Her mother's tears made her remember her own. Then it returned to her mind like a slow memory returning to a person suffering with amnesia. Pain, hot and raw, settled in her chest. Claire recalled how her husband left her outside the hotel they
4 "Ever since I gained maturity I have loved you. I kept myself pure so you would be the one taking me. I dressed myself as per your liking so you would look at me. I even turned down offers of marriage from compatible men because I was enchanted by you. After all the sacrifices I made for you, this is what you give me?" She grasped his collars, shaking him. Her streaming eyes made his face seem blurry. "For two years I endured your ill-treatment and invested my time to make you happy. I would make food each day even though you left it to turn cold. I didn't complain when you came home late and retired to bed without even taking a glance at me even if I was wide awake and talking to you." "You forgot my birthdays, let alone wish me. You ignored my parents on family dinners. But I was still happy because you were with me all this while. I took your cold treatment with a smile. Despite all this, all that I wished for was to see you smile. You want to know why?" Hunter's eyes remaine
5 Her heart was crushed into a pulp under the weight of those words. Wiping her tears, Claire lifted her face. She held her head high as she gave him a tight smile with a challenging gaze. "Then let me tell you, Mr. Hunter MacIntyre, I will also fight for what is mine. You are mine. I'm not letting any widowed whore have my husband." Hunter opened his mouth. But before he snapped at her, she whirled around and went up the stairs to their bedroom. A drumbeat of madness pounded at the back of Hunter's eyes. He fisted his hands while following after her. Hunter caught Claire right outside the bedroom. He pinned her to the wall and leaned in, whispering right before her lips. "Since when I became yours, huh? As far as I can remember you have always been at my mercy." Hunter hoped to intimidate her. But he should have known that by leaving her outside their anniversary party's venue he made her bones persistent and determination of stone. He killed her emotions. "You became min
6Cole's mouth fell agape in sheer astonishment. This definitely has to be a doppelganger of Claire.Otherwise his best friend's wife was timid and mute. She barely opened her mouth to speak. And even if she was slandered, she found it was better to meet them with silence than to retort."What? Is something on my face?" Claire asked with a grin.Cole nodded his head as he confessed, "You have become fierce. I like this side of you.""Thanks. I had to become outspoken for the sake of my marriage. I have to save Hunter and my relation, Cole. And I will need your help with it.""I am always here for you two, Claire. Just let me know how I can help." He liked her spirit."Okay, listen to me," She held his gaze. "I want to gather information on Zara. Cole, I feel that her return is deliberate and that her husband's death is not natural."Cole's back stiffened. His eyebrows knitted together as he suppressed himself from looking disappointed. "I get your point about saving your marriage, Cl
7The cameras flashed just as Claire crossed the gate and came to this side to meet the waiting crowd of journalists. "Mrs. MacIntyre or Miss Argent? Which one do you prefer?" Irritated by the question, Claire forced her lips to curve. Her grin carried a hint of mockery as she faced the cameras before holding the gaze of the journalist who asked her the question."What should I call you- a journalist or a woman with impaired eyesight? Or rather... a brainless journalist with impaired eyesight? Which one do you prefer?"Her Savage reply made the woman chuckle sheepishly in embarrassment. The others stared at Claire with an impressed glance as she never spoke like this before.It seemed that the kitten had transformed her claws finally."Do you see this sparkling big diamond? This shows that I am married. Hence I will prefer Mrs. MacIntyre now and for the rest of my life." Someone from the mass of journalists clapped in amusement. The lady mouthed a small apology while another person
8Dusk hung over Bloomcrest while the winds rolled over calmly. In her Villa, Claire worked tirelessly in the kitchen. She was preparing food for Hunter. There was a cheerful smile on her face as though she was very happy in her marriage.Thea was helping in the kitchen. She took the dishes to the dining table as they were filled with a new dish by Claire. As she returned after her fourth round, she nervously pinched her fingers and spoke in a hushed tone. "Madam, I don't think Mr. MacIntyre will return home today. S-so I'm afraid all this food you're making is going to go wasted." "I left a message to Hunter in the evening to come home soon for dinner. He might have seen it and will be here anytime now." Claire said confidently. Beside her Thea made a pitiful face as she thought, 'You're dreaming with open eyes, madam. Your husband is gone. He's not yours any more. Why can't you see it?' "Can you pass me the ketchup please?" Claire asked. Thea remained quiet and helped the lady