Chapter 8 - The Night They Came for My Son
Clara confronted Cassian.
“Did you marry me because of the inheritance?”
“No.”
“Then why does this exist?”
“Because your mother created a condition.”
“You knew.”
“I knew about the clause.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I wanted you to choose.”
“You already chose for me.”
Cassian looked wounded.
“I offered you a choice.”
“A choice where marrying you was the only way to keep my son safe.”
He lowered his eyes.
“You're right.”
That answer disarmed her.
“I hate that you're right,” Clara whispered.
Cassian stepped closer.
“I never wanted your inheritance.”
“Then what do you want?”
He looked directly at her.
“You.”
Clara froze.
“I want you safe.”
“That's not what I asked.”
Cassian swallowed.
“I want you to stay.”
The silence between them was unbearable.
Then Clara kissed him.
It was brief.
Unexpected.
Real.
Cassian didn't move until she stepped away.
“I don't know what we're doing,” she whispered.
“Neither do I.”
For the first time, he smiled.
Then his phone rang.
The smile disappeared.
“Cassian?”
“It's Viktor.”
Cassian answered.
Viktor spoke calmly.
“You have something I want.”
Cassian said nothing.
“Your new fiancée.”
Cassian looked at Clara.
“She isn't yours.”
Viktor laughed.
“Then perhaps you should ask her about the letter.”
“What letter?”
Viktor hung up.
Clara looked confused.
“What letter?”
Cassian didn't know.
Then Marina entered.
She was pale.
“There is something you need to see.”
She handed Clara an envelope.
It was addressed to her.
The handwriting belonged to her mother.
Clara opened it.
Inside was a single page.
Clara, if you're reading this, Derek has already found the Rossi records. Do not trust the man who tells you he loves you. He will come for what I left behind.
Clara's heart stopped.
Cassian read the letter.
His expression changed.
“There's more.”
She turned the page.
Another sentence was written beneath.
The man you must fear is not Viktor.
Clara stared.
“Then who?”
Cassian looked toward Marina.
Marina whispered:
“Your father.”
Clara shook her head.
“My father is dead.”
“No,” Marina said.
“He isn't.”
The lights went out.
A gunshot exploded somewhere downstairs.
Cassian pulled Clara behind him.
His men shouted.
Then a voice came through the darkness.
“Clara.”
She knew that voice.
She had heard it only once.
In a childhood recording her mother had hidden.
Her father's voice.
May you like
And then someone whispered from the hallway:
“Come meet your father...”
