Chapter 3

Clara clutched her chest tightly, the intense pain leaving her gasping for air.

Julian finally noticed something was wrong and rushed over in alarm. "Clare, what's wrong?"

The worry in his eyes seemed genuine, as if her collapse would take him down with her.

Yet this same man, who claimed to love her so deeply, had kept so many secrets.

Forcing herself to stay calm, she steadied her voice. "It's nothing... just a cramp."

Julian immediately placed his hand over her chest, trying to ease the discomfort. After making absolutely sure she was okay, he quickly took her home to rest.

On the way back, he worked hard to lighten the mood, sharing amusing stories to make her smile.

But no matter how much effort he put in, Clara couldn't bring herself to feel any joy.

Leaning against the car window, she silently watched the scenery blur past with an unreadable expression.

"Clare, did I do something wrong?" he asked cautiously, testing the waters.

"No," she finally replied. "I was just thinking about a show I watched today."

Julian exhaled in relief and smiled, eager to follow her lead. "What show?"

Clara slowly turned her face toward him, her gaze locking with his.

"It's about a man who used to love a woman deeply, but later... he fell out of love. He kept it from her for a long time."

She studied his face closely, watching for even the slightest flicker of emotion. "Julian," she spoke softly, "if you ever... fell out of love..."

"I never would!"

Before she could finish, Julian cut her off, his voice almost desperate. "Clare, you're the love of my life. Even if every man in the world betrayed his wife, I never would. I can't live without you."

But his words only made her heart ache more.

He couldn't live without her, yet he still sought comfort in another woman's arms.

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Julian's phone suddenly rang.

He hesitated for a moment, his finger hovering over the decline button. Before he could end the call, Clara gently pushed his hand aside.

"Go ahead and answer it."

Julian obeyed, picking up the phone. Whatever was said on the other end made his expression shift. His calm demeanor gave way to a flicker of unease, and tension crept across his face.

After swallowing hard, he ended the call and turned to Clara.

"Clare, there's an urgent matter at the office. I need to head over right now. Let me call a car to take you home, okay?"

Without saying much, Clara nodded and stepped out of the car.

As Julian's Montclair drove off, she flagged down a taxi.

Instead of heading back to the villa, she gave the driver a simple instruction.

"Follow that car, please."

The driver didn't ask questions, starting the engine and trailing the vehicle at a steady pace.

The Montclair eventually stopped in front of a private villa.

From a distance, Clara watched as a young woman in a bunny maid costume opened the door. When she spotted Julian stepping out of the car, her face lit up with a smile, and she ran straight into his arms.

It was Sylvia.

The moment they embraced, their lips found each other. The kiss quickly deepened, full of hunger and passion.

When they finally broke apart, Sylvia caught her breath and tugged playfully at Julian's tie, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Master, your little bunny has a surprise waiting for you. Want to see what it is?"

She punctuated her words by lightly tapping his throat with her fingertip.

Julian's Adam's apple bobbed as he gripped her hand firmly, his gaze darkening with desire. "A thirty-minute drive, and I got here in fifteen. What do you think?"

Sylvia giggled, curling her fingers around his. With a teasing glance, she tugged him toward the car.

"Let's see it in the car, then."

After the two got inside, it wasn't long before the vehicle began to rock slightly.

The movements grew more intense, harder and faster with each passing moment.

No one knew that Clara was sitting in a nearby car, watching everything unfold.

She had told herself there was nothing left to hope for with Julian, no expectations left to break. But seeing it with her own eyes, she realized just how deeply it cut.

It felt as though a sharp hook had suddenly latched onto her heart, twisting with brutal force. She clutched her chest, gasping for air as tears streamed down her face.

She couldn't help but think back to when they first fell in love. Julian had always treated her with care. Even when the passion between them grew overwhelming, he would hold back, unwilling to push her boundaries.

He had told her that the first time was sacred, that it should be saved for their wedding night to make it perfect.

For three years, he pursued her. For another three years, they dated. Finally, they made it to their wedding night.

That night, the powerful and composed Julian—a man who dominated the business world—was so nervous he barely seemed like himself. As he slipped off her clothes, his ears turned bright red.

He cherished her so much that every move he made was careful and deliberate. When he finally claimed her, he was so overwhelmed with emotion that he cried, whispering over and over in her ear, "Clare, you're finally mine. I love you. I will always love you."

At that moment, she felt truly treasured. She thought that for the rest of her life, no one would ever love her as deeply as Julian did.

He himself had once vowed that his love belonged only to Clara.

And now, he had shattered that promise with his own hands.

The driver glanced at Clara through the rearview mirror. Seeing the tears streaming down her face, the woman let out a long sigh and silently handed her a tissue.

"Men are all the same," she muttered bitterly, her voice thick with emotion. "None of them can stay faithful. Even I'm stuck in a marriage because of my child, and I can't leave, no matter how much I want to."

The woman paused, swallowing her tears, then continued with a trembling voice. "Miss, don't be so upset. You're already married. Just endure it, forgive him this once, and pretend you didn't see anything."

Clara gripped the tissue in her hand, her voice hoarse yet unyielding.

"No. I won't forgive him."

"Julian Vanguard, I will never forgive you," she said quietly to herself.

When she returned home, Clara tore through drawers and closets, collecting every gift Julian had ever given her. Extravagant trinkets and priceless treasures alike, including the legendary "Clara," were all gathered into a single pile.

She picked up her phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, is this the property management office? I want to sell all these items. Donate every penny to a women's foundation to support women who want to leave their marriages but can't, whether because of children or financial struggles."

In just an hour, everything was packed and sent off.

Afterward, Clara turned her attention to packing her own belongings.

She was halfway through when Julian suddenly burst through the door.

Rain clung to him like a second skin; he hadn't even taken the time to grab an umbrella. Drenched and chilled, he strode into the room, his eyes wild with desperation.

He didn't bother changing out of his soaked clothes as he rushed to her side, his voice trembling.

"Clare, why did you sell 'Clara'?"