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Wounds of the Heart

Wounds of the Heart

Tina's Writings

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Wounds of the Heart Clara, a brilliant young woman marked by a tumultuous past, returns to her hometown after a ten-year absence to attend the wedding of her childhood best friend, Emma. This return is far from a simple visit: Clara must confront Lucas, her first love and the one who broke her heart. However, Lucas is no longer the same. Consumed by remorse, he has become a more mature man, but still haunted by the mistakes he made. Tensions mount when Clara discovers that Lucas is the brother of Emma's future husband, making any attempt to avoid their confrontation impossible. At the same time, Clara struggles to hide a painful secret: the true reason for her sudden departure ten years earlier, a departure that has never been explained. As events unfold, Clara and Lucas are forced to revisit their shared past. Between tears, conflicts, and memories, their story evolves. As love resurfaces, the wounds of the heart seem to open again. The question is whether they will be able to heal them together or whether they will separate them permanently.

Chapter 1 The Return

It had been ten years since Clara last set foot in her hometown-ten years of silence, distance, and buried memories she was unwilling to awaken. Yet, there she was, standing before the grand house of her childhood. The wrought-iron gate remained unchanged, and the intoxicating scent of bougainvillea lingered in the air. Clara adjusted her bag's strap and took a deep breath. She needed to face it, to summon the courage for this return.

I'm here for Emma, nothing else, she murmured to herself, as if trying to convince her own heart.

Emma, her childhood best friend, had begged her to come to her wedding. Clara hadn't had the strength to say no. She couldn't turn her back on Emma-not after everything her friend had done for her in the past. But with every step toward the house, Clara felt her heart grow heavier.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and a familiar figure appeared.

"Clara?! You're finally here!" Emma threw herself at her, arms wide for an embrace. Her radiant smile was contagious, and for the first time in days, Clara felt a faint glimmer of lightness.

"Emma, I'm so happy to see you," Clara replied, a shy smile gracing her lips.

But the moment of happiness was fleeting. When Clara lifted her gaze, her breath caught. He was there. Lucas. Him. Leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, his dark eyes fixed on her with an intensity that unsettled her. Ten years. Ten long years without seeing him, without hearing his voice. And yet, there he was, more mature, more commanding, but still unmistakably... him.

"Clara..." His voice was like a wave of memories, crashing through the fragile barrier she had built around her heart. She immediately averted her eyes, unable to withstand his gaze.

Emma, of course, didn't seem to notice the tension thickening in the air. She continued enthusiastically talking about her wedding, her plans, her dress... but Clara heard none of it. Her mind was elsewhere, stuck on Lucas-on this moment she had dreaded so deeply. Why does it have to be him? Why now?

Clara followed Emma into the house, her shoes clicking softly against the marble floor she remembered so well. The walls were still the same creamy hue, but the decorations had changed. Everything was elegant, orderly, perfect-a reflection of Emma's well-structured life. Clara placed her bag on a chair, attempting to relax, but her eyes instinctively searched for Lucas. She hadn't yet gathered the strength to truly face him.

"Sit down, rest! You must be tired from the journey," Emma said, handing her a glass of juice. Clara accepted it with a smile, though she wasn't really hungry or thirsty. The weight of her return was too overwhelming for her to feel anything else.

She sipped the juice in silence while Emma kept talking. "You wouldn't believe how excited everyone is about this wedding! Pierre and I planned everything-it's a dream come true. You'll see, the celebration will be stunning. Oh, you must meet my family too!"

Clara nodded, trying to appear engaged. But she could still feel it-that presence, that shadow in the room. Lucas wasn't far; she knew it. Her hand trembled slightly as she placed the glass on the table. The past was surging back like a brutal, unbearable gust of wind.

"Clara, look who's here!" Emma exclaimed, as if reading her thoughts.

Lucas stepped into the room, his gaze locked on Clara, still just as intense. Her heartbeat quickened, and a strange warmth coursed through her body. But she couldn't allow herself to succumb to that weakness. Not yet.

Lucas approached slowly. "It's been a long time, Clara."

His voice was deep, tinged with emotion. But Clara refused to fall into this trap. She abruptly stood, flashing a strained smile at Emma.

"I think I need some air. The journey has worn me out," she said.

"I'm stepping out for a moment."

Clara left the room before Emma or Lucas could say a word. She strode quickly into the garden, finally pausing to breathe. The fragrance of the flowers was calming, but her mind remained restless. Why did I agree to come here? she wondered. The thought of seeing Lucas again was unbearable, yet she knew she couldn't avoid him forever.

Clara stayed in the garden for a while, observing the flowers swaying gently in the breeze. She hoped Lucas wouldn't follow her, that he'd understand her need for solitude. But the sound of footsteps behind her dashed that hope.

"Are you planning to avoid me all weekend, Clara?" Lucas asked as he approached.

She turned slowly, her gaze locked on him. He had changed, yes, but not enough to erase the pain. "I'm not avoiding you, Lucas. I simply prefer not to have this conversation."

He frowned, crossing his arms. "What conversation? The one we've dodged for ten years? The one where you tell me why you disappeared overnight without a word?"

Clara felt her throat tighten. She didn't want to dredge up the past-not now, and especially not with him. "This isn't the time or the place. Emma is getting married, and I'm here for her."

Lucas let out a bitter laugh. "Of course, it's always for Emma. And me, Clara? Where do I fit into all this?"

Before she could answer, Emma appeared, running toward them and cutting their exchange short. "Lucas, don't be hard on Clara. She just got here. Clara, come on, you have to meet my family!"

Clara seized the escape route and followed Emma back inside, leaving Lucas behind. But she knew this conversation wasn't over-it was merely postponed. Her heart continued to beat erratically, the tension piling up.

Inside, the house buzzed with voices and activity. Emma introduced Clara to her parents, Pierre (her fiancé), and a few close guests. Clara tried to keep a smile on her face, but every time she felt Lucas's gaze on her, her focus wavered.

"Clara! You have to tell Pierre how incredible you are as a friend. She was there for me in my darkest times, Pierre. Without Clara, I wouldn't be here today," Emma declared, visibly emotional.

Pierre smiled at Clara. "Emma talks about you all the time. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Clara nodded, replying politely, though her thoughts were elsewhere. She sensed Lucas drawing near, and her heart began to race. When Emma and Pierre wandered off to chat with another guest, Lucas seized the opportunity.

"So, Clara, are you planning to keep pretending?" he murmured, low enough that only she could hear.

Clara turned to face him, her eyes filled with defiance. "I'm not pretending. I'm here for Emma. Nothing more."

"Nothing more?" Lucas echoed, incredulous. "You can say that as often as you want, but I know you, Clara. Coming back here isn't 'nothing.' Not after everything that happened."

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I don't have time for this kind of discussion, Lucas."

Lucas shook his head. "You'll have all the time in the world. I won't let you leave this time without answers."

Once more, Clara left Lucas, retreating to Emma to hide within the wedding's bustle. But she knew this encounter was only the beginning. The wounds hadn't healed, and the past would catch up to her no matter how hard she tried to outrun it.

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Chapters
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Wounds of the Heart
1

Chapter 1 The Return

05/04/2025

2

Chapter 2 Shadows of the Past

05/04/2025

3

Chapter 3 Echoes of the Present

05/04/2025

4

Chapter 4 The Intertwining of Memories

05/04/2025

5

Chapter 5 The Masks of Truth

05/04/2025

6

Chapter 6 The Burden of Secrets

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7

Chapter 7 Breakups and Confrontations

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8

Chapter 8 Sorrows and Burdens

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9

Chapter 9 Echoes of Silence

05/04/2025

10

Chapter 10 The Cracks in the Dupont Clan

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11

Chapter 11 Between Truths and Reconciliations

05/04/2025

12

Chapter 12 The Fragile Bridge

05/04/2025

13

Chapter 13 The Curious Escape

05/04/2025

14

Chapter 14 Wounding words

13/04/2025

15

Chapter 15 An unpredictable night

13/04/2025

16

Chapter 16 Revelations and reunion

15/04/2025

17

Chapter 17 The big project

15/04/2025

18

Chapter 18 The Triumph in Grandverre

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19

Chapter 19 The paths that separate and meet again

16/04/2025

20

Chapter 20 The great day of the party

16/04/2025

21

Chapter 21 Unexpected revelations

17/04/2025

22

Chapter 22 BEAST CONFESSIONS

18/04/2025

23

Chapter 23 Shadows of Falsehood

19/04/2025

24

Chapter 24 Revealing conversations

20/04/2025

25

Chapter 25 A high -voltage meeting

21/04/2025

26

Chapter 26 A broken friendship

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27

Chapter 27 Worry in the mansion

22/04/2025

28

Chapter 28 A decisive meeting

22/04/2025

29

Chapter 29 The shadows of the past and the waiting of the verdict

22/04/2025

30

Chapter 30 A breaking truth

22/04/2025

31

Chapter 31 Between apologies and injuries

23/04/2025

32

Chapter 32 Between the shadow of the past and the promises of a future

24/04/2025

33

Chapter 33 Between silence and fraternal comfort

25/04/2025

34

Chapter 34 Between truth and lie

26/04/2025

35

Chapter 35 A resolution and new meetings

27/04/2025

36

Chapter 36 An imposed decision

28/04/2025

37

Chapter 37 Silent alliances

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38

Chapter 38 A day to change your mind

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Chapter 39 Silent resignation

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40

Chapter 40 A bitter truth

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