Chapter 7
Each word landed like a slap. Emma stumbled back, her face pale. Her lips trembled as tears welled up. “That wasn’t… I never meant to ruin your relationship. I would never…”
Blake lunged forward, his face twisted with rage. “You told me you loved me. If that was true, how could you suddenly get engaged to Marcus?”
I met his gaze steadily. “You’re right. I did love you. But love dies when it’s taken for granted. Isn’t it natural to move on? I fell out of love with you because you never really loved me. You love Emma, and I love someone else now. Let’s just end this cleanly.”
“I never agreed to break up!” Blake’s voice shook with anger.
Marcus stepped in front of me. “She’s not asking for your permission. She’s telling you it’s over. Unless you want me to list all your betrayals right here?”
He turned to me softly. “Claire, we still have guests waiting.”
Blake tried to grab me from behind. “Claire, I won’t let you be with another man!”
The sound of Marcus’s fist connecting with Blake’s jaw echoed through the room. “That’s your only warning, Sterling. I’ve been patient out of respect for your parents. But if you disrespect Claire again, I won’t hold back.”
Blake’s father apologized profusely, “I’m so sorry. I’ll take this foolish son away immediately.”
He grabbed Blake’s arm, hissing. “Enough! Haven’t you caused enough trouble with your selfish behavior? Are you only happy after destroying everything?”
Emma rushed to support Blake. “Uncle, it’s not his fault! Claire’s the one who went too far!”
I turned back slowly, my voice quiet but sharp. “I went too far? Emma, even at my worst, I can’t compare to your disgusting behavior. You, an unmarried woman, went to his house, slept in what was supposed to be my bed, wore my lingerie.”
S this what they teach at Juilliard? Is this how a renowned violinist behaves? Do your fans know you’re sleeping
with an engaged man?
The color drained from her face as she stumbled back. The whispers around us grew louder.
“I’m so tired of her innocent act.”
“She’s been chasing Blake for years while pretending to be Claire’s friend.”
“Sleeping with an engaged man in his fiancée’s bed? Some world–class violinist. More like a gold–digging homewrecker.”
Blake stepped in front of Emma, shielding her. “Leave her out of this. It’s all my fault.”
Chapter 7
I slapped him hard across the face. “Of course it’s your fault. Without your pathetic behavior, none of this would have happened. A snake only slithers into a house with cracks.”
Emma burst into tears. “I’ll leave right now. I won’t get between you anymore.”
“Stop with the act,” I snapped. “Besides this brainless fool Blake, who actually cares where you go?”
“Your family’s barely holding onto their social status. That world–class violinist‘ title won’t help you climb any higher. Better hurry and find some rich guy before word gets out about your affair. Good luck finding anyone worth marrying after this scandal.”
Emma covered her face and ran. Blake tried to follow, but Marcus’s security blocked him and threw him out.
After our engagement, Marcus began renovating our future home. Every detail reflected my taste perfectly.
While shopping with my best friend Sarah to clear my head, she laughed. “Have you heard about Emma? She ran home crying, but her stepmom was so humiliated by the scandal, she wouldn’t even let her in the front door.”
“She went begging to Blake’s place, Sarah continued, “but his mom is furious about losing the Bennett connection because of that little homewrecker. She told the maid to slam the door in Emma’s face.”
“Now she’s holed up in Blake’s new place, crying to anyone who’ll listen about how innocent she is. As if anyone’s buying that act anymore.”
Meanwhile, Blake tried playing the repentant lover. He showed up at my house daily with flowers and gifts, becoming a complete nuisance.
He even had a wedding dress custom–made and delivered it to my family’s estate with great fanfare. His text read: “You’ll always be my perfect bride.”
“If you give me another chance, I’ll never see Emma again. Please, baby, let’s start over.”
When Marcus saw the message, he was livid. He paced our living room. “I’m going to teach that pathetic excuse for a man a lesson. Does he think he can try to steal my fiancée like this? He’s lost his mind!”
I caught his arm, laughing. “Why stoop to his level? He’s not worth your time.”
Blake’s constant harassment at my family’s estate was exhausting. Marcus insisted I move into our newly renovated home. “You’re going to live here eventually,” he reasoned. Try it out. If anything’s not perfect, we’ll change it.”
To celebrate the move, Marcus invited friends over for a housewarming party at our villa.
We never expected Emma to show up.
