Chapter 5: The Marriage That Was Planned
The room felt smaller.
I looked at Evelyn.
Then at the photograph in my hand.
Julian standing beside Victor Hayes.
A younger Sienna beside them.
All three smiling.
Like they were celebrating something.
“How long?””
My voice barely came out.
Evelyn looked down.
“How long did Julian know me?””
“Before your first date.””
My chest tightened.
“That’s impossible.””
“It’s true.””
I walked away from the table.
“No.””
“Clara—”
“No.””
I pointed at the photograph.
“You’re telling me my husband approached me because of my family?””
Evelyn didn’t answer.
She didn’t need to.
I already knew.
I thought back to the day I met Julian.
A charity event.
A crowded room.
He had appeared beside me with perfect timing.
He knew my father’s company.
He knew my interests.
He knew exactly what to say.
I had called it chemistry.
Maybe it was research.
“Why?””
Evelyn’s eyes filled with regret.
“Because Victor believed your father hid something.””
“What?””
“A fortune.””
I laughed bitterly.
“My father died with debt.””
“No.””
She shook her head.
“Your father died protecting something.””
I stared at her.
“What?””
“Evidence.””
The word hung in the air.
“Evidence that Victor stole the money.””
My mind raced.
“Then why would Julian marry me?””
Evelyn looked at the floor.
“Because Victor told him your family had access to accounts no one else knew about.””
I felt sick.
“The inheritance.””
She nodded.
“He thought if Julian became close enough to you, he could access everything.””
My hands trembled.
“So my entire marriage was a lie.””
Evelyn didn’t respond.
Because there was no comforting answer.
My phone buzzed.
A message from Julian.
*We need to talk when I get back. Please don’t do anything you’ll regret.*
I stared at the screen.
The nerve.
After everything.
I typed a response.
Then deleted it.
No.
He didn’t deserve an emotional reaction.
He deserved consequences.
I turned back to Evelyn.
“Why are you helping me?””
Her face changed.
For the first time, I saw anger.
Real anger.
“Because Victor destroyed my family too.””
I frowned.
“He’s your husband.””
“He was.””
The room went quiet.
“Victor abandoned us when the money disappeared. He left me with nothing. He told everyone I helped him.””
She looked at the photograph.
“Sienna was sixteen years old when she lost everything.””
I looked at the woman who had ruined my honeymoon.
For a second, I almost felt sorry for her.
Almost.
Then I remembered the way she smiled at me in the airport.
The way she sat beside my husband.
The way they planned to steal from me.
“What does Sienna know?””
Evelyn’s expression hardened.
“She knows enough.””
“Enough for what?””
“To believe Julian loves her.””
I froze.
“What?””
“She thinks this was always about their future.””
I stared at her.
“Are you saying Julian and Sienna planned to be together?””
“Yes.””
My stomach twisted.
“After my money?””
“After your inheritance.””
The truth was worse than I imagined.
Not only had Julian betrayed me.
He had replaced me before our marriage even began.
Then Evelyn reached into her bag.
She pulled out another envelope.
“This is the last thing I have.””
I opened it.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
My father’s handwriting.
I recognized it instantly.
My hands started shaking.
“Where did you get this?””
“Victor kept it.””
I unfolded the paper.
Only one sentence was written.
*If Clara ever discovers the truth, she must never trust the man wearing the ring.*
I stopped breathing.
Because there was one signature at the bottom.
My father’s.
May you like
And the date.
One week before I met Julian.
