Chapter 6 - The Trap
Our plan was simple.
Convince Marco that I was afraid.
Convince him the evidence was still hidden.
Convince him Evan and I were separated.
Then bring him to a place where every move could be recorded.
It worked.
Too well.
A week later, the city believed Evan and I were preparing for divorce.
Photographers caught me leaving hotels alone.
Rumors spread.
Evan appeared publicly with Paige.
The scandal exploded again.
Marco took the bait.
He contacted me.
One message.
You should never have married him.
I replied.
I know.
Another message arrived.
Meet me.
I agreed.
Evan wanted to come.
I refused.
“This has to look real.”
He stared at me.
“I don't like this.”
“Neither do I.”
“You could be hurt.”
“So could you.”
He looked away.
Then nodded.
“Come back.”
I almost smiled.
“You're not my father.”
“No.”
He looked at me.
“But I'm trying to become your husband again.”
I kissed his cheek.
“Then trust me.”
The meeting took place inside an old theater.
Marco arrived with four men.
He looked exactly like Evan.
Same eyes.
Same jaw.
Same coldness.
He smiled at me.
“Claire.”
I stood alone.
“Marco.”
“You look tired.”
“So do you.”
He laughed.
“Evan always did underestimate you.”
“He underestimated everyone.”
Marco stepped closer.
“You think he's protecting you?”
“He ruined my life.”
“Then leave him.”
“Maybe I will.”
Marco smiled.
“That's what I wanted to hear.”
I glanced at the cameras hidden in the ceiling.
“How long have you been doing this?”
“Doing what?”
“Manipulating people.”
His smile faded.
“Long enough.”
“You killed my grandfather.”
“Yes.”
“You threatened my mother.”
“Yes.”
“You ordered the attack on my son.”
“Yes.”
My stomach twisted.
“And Evan?”
“He was always in the way.”
Marco sighed.
“Your husband could have ruled everything. Instead, he fell in love with you.”
I looked at him.
“Did you think that made him weak?”
“I knew it did.”
“You were wrong.”
He laughed.
“Love makes people stupid.”
“No.”
I said quietly.
“Fear does.”
His expression changed.
He realized something.
The microphones.
The cameras.
His confession.
Everything had been recorded.
He pulled a gun.
Evan emerged from the darkness.
“Put it down.”
Marco laughed.
“There he is.”
Evan stepped forward.
“I've been waiting twenty years.”
“So have I.”
The brothers stood across from each other.
Marco raised his weapon.
I shouted.
“Evan, don't!”
Evan stopped.
Marco smiled.
“You still obey her.”
Evan looked at me.
“No.”
He lowered his weapon.
“I listen to her.”
That difference mattered.
Marcus and federal agents stormed the theater.
Marco's men surrendered.
Marco tried to escape.
He was caught.
As they removed his handcuffs, he looked at me.
“This isn't over.”
I answered, “For you, it is.”
He laughed.
“You think prison changes anything?”
“No.”
I looked at Evan.
“Truth does.”
Marco was taken away.
The theater fell silent.
Evan walked toward me.
“Are you okay?”
I nodded.
Then I slapped him.
He blinked.
“What was that for?”
“That was for making me spend ten years thinking I wasn't a mother.”
He nodded.
“Fair.”
I slapped him again.
“That was for the fake affair.”
“Also fair.”
She hit his shoulder.
“And that was for Atlanta.”
He rubbed his arm.
“That's getting excessive.”
I laughed through tears.
He stepped closer.
“I love you.”
My heart hurt.
“I know.”
“I should have said it before.”
“Yes.”
“I should have trusted you.”
“Yes.”
“I should have told you about Noah.”
“Yes.”
“I should have told you about your mother.”
“Yes.”
He stopped.
“Is there anything I did right?”
I thought about it.
“You kept them alive.”
His expression softened.
“And you?”
“I stayed alive long enough to find out.”
He reached for my hand.
I let him.
May you like
It wasn't forgiveness.
But it was permission to begin.
