Chapter 6 - Vincent Tore Up the Contract That Had Bought His Wife, Then Asked Her to Stay for a Reason She Never Expected
The world knew nothing about the truth.
The newspapers reported that Vincent Rourke had exposed a massive corruption network.
The company had cooperated.
Several executives were arrested.
Marcus disappeared into federal custody.
The public story was clean.
The private story was anything but.
Claire moved out of the guest suite.
Not because Vincent demanded it.
Because she wanted to.
They shared breakfast.
Talked.
Fought.
Laughed.
Learned each other for the first time.
But Claire still carried guilt.
One night, she stood in the kitchen.
Vincent entered.
“You're awake.”
“So are you.”
“I couldn't sleep.”
“Neither.”
She looked at him.
“Do you regret marrying me?”
He stopped.
“No.”
“Even after everything?”
“No.”
“Why?”
He came closer.
“Because I loved you before I knew your name was fake.”
Her eyes filled.
“I lied.”
“Yes.”
“I betrayed your trust.”
“Yes.”
“But you still love me.”
“Yes.”
She shook her head.
“I don't understand.”
“You don't have to.”
He kissed her.
Then his phone rang.
Gabriel.
The news was bad.
One of Marcus's former attorneys had disappeared.
A second network had emerged.
Someone was trying to recover the remaining money.
Vincent looked at Claire.
“We're not safe.”
“I know.”
“I'm sending you away.”
“No.”
“Claire.”
“No.”
She stood.
“I stayed when you didn't want me.”
“I never wanted you gone.”
“You never said it.”
He looked at her.
“You're right.”
She took his hand.
“So say it now.”
Vincent swallowed.
“Stay.”
She smiled.
“Okay.”
They built a plan.
But betrayal came from an unexpected place.
Margaret.
Vincent's mother.
She had been secretly working with the surviving members.
Not because she wanted power.
Because she believed destroying the network would put Vincent in greater danger.
She had tried to control the fallout.
Vincent confronted her.
“You lied.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I couldn't lose you.”
“You almost did.”
“I know.”
Claire stepped forward.
“Margaret.”
She looked at her.
“I hated you when I met you.”
“I know.”
“I thought you were part of the reason my father suffered.”
“I was.”
“But you saved me.”
“I promised your father.”
Claire cried.
Margaret hugged her.
The family that had been divided for decades finally came together.
Then news arrived.
Daniel Bell was alive.
He had escaped custody.
May you like
Claire's father was coming home.
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