Could Clair and Charlotte have argued? Something must’ve happened when they were alone.I remember Charlotte’s scream reaching the house and gaining everyone’s attention and myself running to her as fast as I could.I had seen some of what happened. As I stood at the top of the hill, I had seen Charlotte’s wheelchair tip to one side, Charlotte falling to the ground and her forehead starting to bleed. Then Claire panicking while trying to help Charlotte back into her chair and Charlotte dodging her hand and cowering as if she were afraid.I remember running to help Charlotte, shoving Claire to the ground and not caring about her in that moment.Then after Charlotte was assessed, I argued with Claire.She should’ve taken care of Charlotte. She should’ve protected her.I know she said it wasn’t intentional but I knew Claire was upset that I had skipped our anniversary to be at Charlotte’s side to celebrate the news. I still didn’t believe her.But after having a moment to think, I realiz
I arrive at Leo’s home. Normally I would say ‘our home’ but it didn’t feel that way after everything that’s happened today. I enter the house and it’s once comforting warmth has shifted to bitter coldness. It didn’t matter. I was simply here to get my things and head to Jasmine’s. She was more than willing to let me stay with her while I figure things out. I’m sure after my refusal to apologize to Charlotte that Leo wouldn’t mind my absence. I start gathering my things from our bedroom when I feel the front door open. I didn’t expect him to be home so soon. I thought he’d stay by Charlotte’s side - like he always does. As I continue packing, Leo enters the room and immediately looked anxious. He grabs my hand. “Where are you going?” “I’m moving in with Jasmine for a bit.” I keep my head low. I knew that looking in his eyes would spark more tears. “Can we talk about it?” I continue looking at the ground. “Claire, I know you’re angry and hurt because I blamed you for what
I came home expecting to see Claire. I owed her a conversation. What I didn’t expect to see was her gathering her things - packing them all. I knew I had taken things a little too far today with my reactions and felt obligated to apologize after seeing how upset I had made her. I thought she was upset that I had demanded an apology be given to Charlotte.I didn’t expect to hear my wife was moving out. I tried to talk and reason with her. I even offered her the chance to veto an apology to Charlotte in an effort to correct my wrongs and have her reconsider. It angered her more. It wasn’t hard to tell that what I had done today - had broken her.I had broken her. So much so, that she asked me for a divorce and returned the ring I had made specially for her when I asked her to spend her life by my side. A ring that was worth more to me than my entire fortune.And I watched her leave right from our bedroom window. I didn’t have the ability to chase her. I was in complete shock. I should
I arrived at Jasmine’s house and remove my things from the taxi. I had forgotten how large Jasmine’s home is. Jasmine was a second-generation wealthy woman by birth right and a fashion designer by talent but she’d never make you feel that way. She was giving and genuinely kind. She was an amazing friend and I was grateful for her. Especially after what’s happened todayI bring in my belongings and sit on the couch allowing Jasmine to comfort me after I share every detail of this disastrous day that was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life. “What about your marriage, Claire? Do you really want a divorce?” I could see the worry on her face. She knew much I loved Leonardo. “I think I’ve suppressed myself for so long by being with Leo. I have to consideration that I have a child now. I’m pregnant.” I look into her eyes expecting the worst of reactions. But Jasmine was beaming in a smile. She was so excited for me and excited I’d told her.“Does Leonardo know?” She asks qui
It’s been a few days since I’ve settled into Jasmine’s home when I get a phone call. I almost expected it to be Leo. Only when I pulled my phone out to check - I quickly realized it wasn’t. It was my brother - Matthew. And there was only one reason for him to contact me. I knew well before I decided to answer that he was going to ask me for money. Matthew was an idle man who enjoyed gambling far too much and had acquired some hefty debts along the way. The worst part was that he never intended to pay for them out of his own pocket. He simply hoped - more like demanded, that me (his sister) who married a billionaire would help cover his costs. Matthew was the most elated when I announced my engagement to Leonardo - not because he wanted to see me happy or settling down but because my husband was wealthy and he saw it a cash roll. A steady source in which he could cover his costs throughout life. And It infuriated me. I had helped Matthew in the past when he had asked for money. Wha
It had been a few days since Claire had moved out and the feeling of emptiness in our home lingered. I missed her and I didn’t know what to do about it.I wanted to call her but I knew space was something she needed when she decided to leave and I decided that I didn’t want to overwhelm her. I was hoping she’d call me - if I’m being completely honest. But I had received nothing.I’ve been occupying my time with helping Charlotte heal from the accident and helping her to prepare for her procedure with the doctor he spent so much time searching for.After Charlotte’s release from the hospital, she expressed to me that she didn’t feel comfortable being alone in her own house. So I told Charlotte she was welcome to come stay in mine for a little while. I wasn’t stepping out on Claire. I would never cheat on my wife. But I did like the idea of the house being less empty. I pick Charlotte up from the hospital and carefully place her in the car. We drive back to my home. I assist Charlotte
While sitting in the hospital, I heard Claire moved out from Leo’s sister. It was the perfect opportunity for me to fill her shoes in a better sense. I could easily be the woman of Leo’s household. Especially after my legs are “recovered” to their former glory. The truth is that I wasn’t going to be getting any surgery. I didn’t get any to begin with. I could walk. I wasn’t disabled but I had to play the role for the sake of my father. My father was nothing but elated when he found out I was seeing Leonardo. Two wealthy families joining forces by marriage seemed like the ideal outcome, especially when we were great together naturally. But one day, my father company was in a bind. His long line of finders had broken and needed money to save his company. He had gone to Leonardo’s father in his time of need but he denied assisting in any way. This infuriated my father so he executed his next plan. He anonymously hired someone to kidnap Leo and I - that way he could extort a ransom in e
I rush the taxi driver to take me to Leonardo’s house. I sit in the back seat trembling. Was I too late? Has Matthew already asked him for money? Has he told him that I’ve been paying for his debts or has he threatened Leo in order to get it? Every single case scenario brushed my thought as I see the house I once lived in appear in the distance. I see no one in the driveway or standing at the door. I’d hoped that meant that Matthew was turned away but I hadn’t gotten a call from Leo that would confirm my hopes. I hadn’t actually heard from him at all since I left. I get to the door and stand there for a moment. I hadn’t returned my key but after everything that’s happened - I didn’t know if it was still appropriate for me to use it. I had told Leo I was moving out, asked him for a divorce and given him my wedding ring. Standing at the front door of a house that I had lived in for over five years - feeling nothing more than a stranger waiting on its steps. I knew I needed to stop
It had been a couple days since I’ve seen Claire and Leo. Being here in jail has given me time to reflect on so many things and I feel awful for Starla, who waiting for me at home but even worse, I feel horrible for Claire. When you have nothing but time, you start to think about what you’ve done and what you could’ve done better. I could’ve been a better brother, I could’ve behaved and treated her better and I was ashamed.I decide to call Claire to express my gratitude to her and apologize for my shortcomings.I wait a few seconds and hear Claire accept the call.“Hello?” I say excitedly.“Are you okay, Matthew?” She was worried for me.“Yeah. Well, Kind of. I’m still in jail but I have faith. How are you?” I genuinely wanted to know that she was okay and doing better than I was.“Well, I’m in the hospital but I’m okay.” She quickly adds reassurance. That was classic for Claire. She’d diminish the importance of her own words to make anyone feel comfortable and I knew by that, alone
Francisco had planned for a surprise to arrive at my house. In all honesty, I had hoped that it would be Claire’s dismantled body, but I was unpleasantly surprised by the man who stood on my doorstep as Francisco answered the door. The first thing I notice is his suit. A black Italian brioni suit, one of Leo’s favorite brands. I had accompanied him shopping when he had bought his first one. He had just entered a contract worth millions and became the youngest multimillionaire on the west coast. I remember his smile as he purchased the suit. A moment of pride and a mark of success. I also remember the diamond tennis bracelet he gifted me that day - a tribute to my loyalty to him. The simplest of times where he and I were genuinely happy and together. It wasn’t long until it became nothing but a distant memory. My father and his plots made sure of it.“Charlotte?” I must’ve zoned out as Francisco is standing in front of me with a look of confusion.“Who is this?” I ask abruptly. My anno
Claire called me to share the details of each attack. She found that she was able to remember more and I was proud of her.After finishing our conversation, I turn to Mason in the back of my town car.“We have a problem.”“Is everything alright with your wife?” “Yes. She tried to visually take herself through both attacks and was able to remember a few things.” I see his face become even more stern as he waits for me to share Claire’s discoveries.“The first guy was waiting nearby for a cue. Someone close had to give him that cue for him to pose as the driver and kidnap Claire. She said he couldn’t have been there the whole time because I would’ve seen him. Which is true considering I usually speak with my driver privately through the front door window. The second attacker is a bit more serious. She said he wore a black Italian brioni suit. She recognized it because that’s the brand of my favorite suit. The other thing she noticed was that when he was leaving her suite, he had a blac
While Leo was away, I tried to piece everything together. Elena had made sure I ate, assisted me in cleaning myself up and sat down with me as I closed my eyes and tried to remember any information that might be useful in finding my attackers. Elena held my hands as I try to visually take myself back to that day.I had gone to the elevator in a haste, there was no one in the lobby and the elevator didn’t seem to be tampered with, the hallways from the elevator to my suite was empty and quiet as usual and the door to my suite looked completely fine. It wasn’t until I was inside that he had made his presence known. He must’ve been posing as a potential client and was able to slip by the other occupants of the building that way. He would’ve been suspicious if he hadn’t been wearing a nice suit.I keep trying to find anything that may have seemed off but nothing was tampered with or at least to the point where I would notice. I change my focus to the man and hold my breath as I jog throug
I must’ve dozed off when comforting Claire because I’m still in her hospital bed when I awake. I decide to make use of this quiet time and text Elena. I request that she make some food for Claire and I and that she ready herself to be dropped off here. I can feel the excitement as she responds with breakfast options and asks if Claire would like anything else. I then text my driver, letting him know that I would like Elena to be dropped off here at the hospital. I then send a message to Mason and ask to speak with him in person today. If I wanted to protect Claire, we needed to pick up our pace and find out who did this to Matthew and her. I set a time where I can have Elena here to comfort and watch over Claire so that I could put more of my efforts into finding her attackers and freeing her brother.I drop my phone onto the bed and continue to cuddle Claire as she sleeps. Every so often, I find myself passing a glance at her hand. The doctor planned to remove the bandages after for
After Emilia’s stunt and my mother’s audacity, I was emotionally drained. How dare they ask that I abandon Claire and continue to overlook their distaste in her? I had overlooked it in the past because I knew they held a special space for Charlotte but I see now, how wrong I’ve been. They didn’t love Charlotte. She was just a status that paired well with my success. A purebred paired with another purebred, but they didn’t know the truth. Or maybe, my truth just wasn’t important to them.I wasn’t happy with Charlotte. She was beautiful and cunning but I didn’t love her in the way she loved me and I had planned on ending things with her prior to her accident. Charlotte had no ambition in our relationship and had become clingy, expecting me stay by her side and abandon my responsibilities. I had lost interest in her - the same way I’d lost interest in them all until Claire came along.Claire was different. She’s beautiful was ambitious, innocent, kind and caring. She would make sure I’d
I wake up a few hours later with a dull pain my hand. The morphine had helped but I could still feel the aftermath of today’s events. According to the clock on the wall, I had slept for eight hours. I look over to find Leo sleeping on the couch beside my bed and two duffel bags on the chair. Not only has he decided to stay but he had brought things for us as we would be staying here for a few days as they reexamined my hand to ensure the proper healing took place.I use the call button to request a nurse as I had to use the restroom and see Leo jump up immediately as the nurse responds over the speaker. I hear him as he notifies the nurse that I’m fine.“What do you need? I’ll help.” He was adamant on helping.“I just have to use the restroom.” I whisper softly.“It’s okay. I’ll help you.”“But you were sleeping? It’s okay. I can just ask the nurse.” “No, I was just waiting for you to wake up. Come on, I’ll help you.” He extends a hand and gives a soft smile. I knew refusing would on
I exit Claire’s hospital room on a mission. I call Mason first to recount Claire’s story of today’s attack.“Officer Mason.” I hear him speak clearly.“It’s Leo. I asked Claire what happened. She said the man was already in her suite when she arrived. He was dressed in a suit with his black hair combed back and he had green eyes. He was sitting at her desk. He said ‘boss’ orders’ when he attacked her with the trophy.” I make sure to leave no details unsaid. This was crucial to catching who did this to my wife.“Okay, I thought the trophy may have been the assault weapon so u had sentTo the lab for DNA testing. I’ll have my guys search for DNA forensics. I have some news on Matthew’s case as well, if you’re up to hear it.” Truth be told, I had forgotten about Matthew these last few days. “Any news is good news, I suppose.” I reply.“Well we checked the stamps, bags and origin of those drugs and our hunch was right. They came from a mafia group we’ve been following for years. If we ca
I awoke in a jolt as the memory of what had happened to me resurfaced. I’d been attacked in my suite by an unknown man. A second successful attempt at the hands of the person who wanted to harm me.I look around and find myself in the hospital with my right hand bandaged extensively. I could feel the throbbing underneath the bandages and immediately begin to sob without having noticed Leo sitting beside my bed with his head down.“Claire, you’re awake. Are you okay?” He asks frantically as he gets up to kiss my head.“It hurts.” I say softly motioning to my hand.“It’s going to hurt for some time but they’ll be giving you some medication to help. I’ll have the doctor come in to tell you more. But first, I need you to tell me what happened so I can tell Mason. They’re at your suite looking for evidence on who did this to you.” I choke up when I realize how I ended up here and what was to come. What if they can’t find him? What if we never save Matthew? And what if they kill me next?“H