Chapter 10: The Betrayal Hidden Behind Love
My mother didn’t answer.
That was the most painful part.
Not anger.
Not denial.
Silence.
The woman who had always had something to say suddenly looked like she had lost her voice.
I stared at her.
“Tell me I’m wrong.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Claire…”
“No.””
My voice shook.
“Don’t say my name like that. Just answer me.””
The entire ballroom watched.
The same guests who had laughed when she threw my bouquet away now stood frozen.
My mother lowered her head.
“I didn’t want this to happen.””
I felt my heart sink.
Not because she admitted it.
Because she didn’t deny it.
Daniel moved beside me.
“Claire, whatever happens next, you don’t have to face it alone.””
I nodded slightly.
But my eyes never left my mother.
“Why?””
She looked up.
“Because I was scared.””
“Scared of what?””
She looked toward Victor.
Then Alexander.
Then me.
“Of losing you.””
I almost laughed.
“You keep saying that.””
My voice cracked.
“But you never explain what you mean.””
She wiped her tears.
“When Isabella died, everyone wanted you. Not because they loved you. Because of what you represented.””
I looked at Michael.
“The inheritance?””
“The bloodline.””
She nodded.
“Your birth connected two powerful families. People wanted control over you before you were even old enough to understand your own name.””
Alexander’s face tightened.
“But you still hid the truth.””
My mother looked at him.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Her eyes moved back to me.
“Because I knew what happened when people chased power.””
She swallowed.
“I thought if Claire hated me, but stayed alive, it was worth it.””
The words hurt.
Because somewhere inside them was love.
Twisted.
Broken.
But still love.
I looked down.
“You could have told me.””
“I know.””
“You could have trusted me.””
“I know.””
“You could have let me choose.””
My mother closed her eyes.
“And that is the thing I regret most.””
The room stayed silent.
Then Victor laughed.
Everyone turned.
“You’re all acting like this is some tragic family story.””
Daniel looked at him.
“You’re finished.””
Victor smiled.
“Am I?””
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small device.
The guards immediately moved.
Daniel raised his hand.
“Wait.””
Victor pressed a button.
A recording began playing.
A woman’s voice filled the ballroom.
My mother’s voice.
Twenty years younger.
“I can’t do this anymore, Isabella.””
My blood went cold.
Everyone listened.
The recording continued.
“I promised I would protect Claire.””
Another voice answered.
Isabella.
“You promised to protect her from them. Not hide her forever.””
My mother’s younger voice shook.
“If they find out who she is, they will destroy her.””
Then Isabella said something that made my entire body freeze.
“They already know.””
The recording stopped.
Nobody moved.
Victor looked satisfied.
“Now everyone understands.””
Daniel stared at him.
“You edited that.””
Victor smiled.
“Did I?””
Michael stepped forward.
“That recording proves nothing.””
Victor turned toward him.
“It proves enough.””
I looked at my mother.
“What happened that night?””
She didn’t answer.
Daniel walked closer to her.
“Elizabeth.””
My mother finally spoke.
“The night Isabella disappeared…”
She took a deep breath.
“She gave me Claire.””
I felt tears forming.
“You had me?””
She nodded.
“She was injured. She knew someone was coming.””
“Who?””
My mother looked at Victor.
Everyone followed her gaze.
Victor’s smile disappeared.
“She told me to run.””
My mother’s voice broke.
“She told me never to trust anyone who wanted Claire’s power.””
I looked at Victor.
“But why would she write your name?””
My mother shook her head.
“She didn’t.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
“What?””
“She wrote a warning.””
She looked at Victor.
“He changed it.””
The room went silent.
Victor’s expression finally cracked.
For the first time, he looked nervous.
Daniel noticed.
And so did I.
May you like
The powerful man who had walked into my wedding without fear…
Was afraid.
