Chapter 10 - The Contract Behind the Marriage
Cassian refused to let Clara know how frightened he was.
But she knew.
She could see it in the way he checked every lock.
The way his men rotated shifts.
The way he never slept.
She finally confronted him.
“Tell me the truth.”
“I am.”
“No. The whole truth.”
Cassian looked away.
“The marriage clause was written by your mother.”
“Yes.”
“She believed a Rossi marriage would protect the inheritance.”
“Yes.”
“And you knew.”
“Yes.”
Clara's voice broke.
“Why did you accept?”
Cassian stepped closer.
“Because I thought I could protect you.”
“That's not enough.”
He nodded.
“You're right.”
He pulled out another document.
“The marriage contract is fake.”
Clara stared.
“What?”
“The legal document your mother created isn't binding unless you willingly sign it.”
“So our engagement…”
“Was never legally required.”
Clara felt relief.
Then confusion.
“Then why did you propose?”
Cassian looked at her.
“Because I wanted to.”
She couldn't breathe.
He continued.
“Before I knew about the inheritance, I wanted to protect you.”
“And after?”
“I wanted you more.”
Clara's eyes filled.
She stepped closer.
“I don't know whether to trust you.”
“You don't have to.”
“But I want to.”
Cassian touched her cheek.
Then they kissed.
It wasn't an arrangement anymore.
It wasn't protection.
It wasn't debt.
It was a choice.
That evening, Cassian took Clara to the diner where they had first met.
The booth was empty.
He sat across from her.
“Why here?”
“Because this is where I first saw you.”
Clara smiled.
“I was soaking wet.”
“You looked exhausted.”
“I was.”
“You were still brave.”
She looked at him.
“I was terrified.”
“I know.”
The waitress brought Noah hot chocolate.
For a moment, everything felt normal.
Then the front door opened.
Marco entered.
Cassian stood.
Marco smiled.
“Brother.”
Clara immediately understood.
The resemblance was undeniable.
Marco was older, colder.
He looked at Clara.
“So you're the woman everyone is willing to kill for.”
Cassian moved between them.
“Leave.”
Marco laughed.
“You still don't understand.”
“Understand what?”
Marco placed a folder on the table.
“Your mother didn't leave Clara forty percent.”
Cassian looked down.
“She left her all of it.”
Clara's eyes widened.
Marco smiled.
“The entire company.”
Silence.
Then Marco leaned closer.
“And there is one more thing.”
“What?”
Marco looked at Clara.
“Your mother wasn't your biological mother.”
Clara froze.
Cassian turned sharply.
“What did you say?”
Marco opened the folder.
A birth certificate appeared.
Clara's name was on it.
But the mother's name was different.
She couldn't breathe.
“That's impossible.”
Marco smiled.
“Ask Adrian.”
Cassian's phone rang.
It was Adrian.
Cassian answered.
Adrian said only five words:
May you like
“Marco told you the truth.”
Then the line went dead...
