The Bride He Cast Away on Their Wedding Night

"Claire, that car crash three years ago-and the guys who tried to kidnap you last night-it's the same group! Listen to me. Right now, all clues are pointing straight at your adoptive parents... and Nelson Cooper."

Hearing the name Nelson, Claire Thompson's breath caught in her throat.

Sunlight poured through the window, bright and warm. But all she felt was a chill crawling over her skin.

"Nelson?" she murmured, echoing the name.

Adrian on the other end sounded pissed. "I'm telling you, don't even think of giving that jerk the benefit of the doubt."

Her voice came out rough, like she had to force the words, "I get it. I just think... for now, we can't jump to any actions."

Adrian's voice rose. "They tried to kill you, Claire. Twice! Don't tell me you're still going soft on them."

"I'm not," she said quietly, a hint of frustration in her tone. "But we've got nothing solid-just vague leads. Plus, Nelson and I are technically still married. If I stir things up now, the fallout will be huge."

"Then divorce him," Adrian snapped. "Cut ties clean, then we can do what needs to be done."

"I plan to," Claire said, closing her eyes for a moment. "That's why I came back. But Adrian, until it's official, we have to keep everything under wraps."

Silence hung for a beat.

Claire added softly, "If the Thompsons find out I'm actually from the Fields family... things could get messy fast. I won't drag our family into this just because of old grudges."

Adrian let out a deep sigh. "You're family, Claire. It's our job to protect you. No questions asked."

"That's why I need you to hold off," she replied, her voice gentler, almost pleading. "Let me handle it first. I just want to get out of this without making a bigger mess."

".Fine. Your call. But promise me, stay away from Nelson."

"I will," she said. "Once I'm divorced, I'm coming home."

She had barely hung up when the knock came..

Knock, knock.

Only one other person had a key besides the housekeeper. And he wouldn't knock-not unless he wanted something.

Claire frowned, didn't move.

Another pause-then the knock came again, sharper, more insistent..

"Claire." A deep male voice called through the door. Calm, unreadable. "Open up."

She walked over and placed her hand on the doorknob, and then-deliberately slow-twisted it, pulling the door open just a crack.

Nelson stood there, dressed in a sharp charcoal-gray suit, not a wrinkle in sight, posture straight as ever.

Three years, and somehow he looked exactly the same.

His eyes rested on her face for a moment. A barely-there frown flickered across his brow.

"What were you doing? You've been in there a while."

His tone was flat, casual.

"Packing," Claire replied, shifting slightly to the side, but didn't fully open the door. No invitation in her stance.