A Heart Misplaced, A Love Bone-Deep

ling residence when the night wind hit

d her. She didn't turn. Sh

d suddenly, the gri

"Clara, you're just leaving like that? You'

d slowly to

posed as ever, but his eyes were full of blam

ftly. "You think I

ing a word?" Julian's tone carried unmistakable disappointment. "I always thoug

im quietly, then

it cut through every layer

e who comforts her, takes care of her, gives her everythi

pupils co

tell. S

nto his voice. "What are you overthinking now? There's noth

sting something absurd. "Then what I saw at the hos

out a cold laugh. "You were following me?

g you to remarry me. I didn't force her to leave you. You love each other, but you don't have the courage to stand against your families. So you hide behind this story of 'sacrifi

ain in her eyes was impossible to hi

ge. Who ever said I loved you? Who promised you forever? If you

a fr

none of this cou

beginning, she had n

oice broke in. "Clara... I

her cheek still swollen, te

. "It's my fault... I shouldn't have... I shouldn't have fallen for

behind him. "What are you apologizing for? You didn't do a

rying harder. "But she's

off, his voice low. "You don't n

there, wat

se. The other stoo

er most... was also the one wh

Clara felt

at even anger h

if to herself, and to them. "Whate

only one thing. "Don't forge

rned to the mansion, i

bedroom, opened the clo

re simple suits and a few old sweater

were untouched, hanging neatly in the corn

hone

ormer boss i

expedited. You can come anytime. The company has arrang

eyes and let ou

take the earlie

lt the weight on her che

er, she would break. N

uld have a new job, a

coat into her suitcase when th

is tie loosened, his expressio

ression darkened. He strode over and g

ed her hand back gently. "We're gettin

hrough, Clara. You're not the Sterling heiress anymor

d and looke

as still, like a lake in la

e let out a soft laugh, "does that

an f

e, catching him off guard in

d divorce, something in

y, his tone hard. "I just don't want you coming back

, and stood. "Don't worry. I don't h

suitcase and walke

osed softly

b and gave the driver

y from the mansion, s

e was, his fists clench