Chapter 7 - The Wedding Invitation That Became a Death ThreatClara didn't know about the file.
She didn't know Victor was alive.
She didn't know someone had been watching her for months.
She only knew that Adrian was trying to become a different man.
He sold properties.
Closed illegal operations.
Turned warehouses into legitimate businesses.
Paid back debts.
Made restitution.
The newspapers called it impossible.
Clara called it overdue.
Six months later, Adrian proposed.
Not with a huge ring.
Not in a restaurant.
Not in front of cameras.
He proposed at the Marlowe.
On the stage.
Under the chandelier.
The one that had almost killed him.
Clara looked up.
“You have terrible taste in romantic locations.”
He smiled.
“I know.”
She laughed.
Then he knelt.
“Clara Hayes, I don't want you because you're a Moretti.”
“I don't want you because you saved me.”
“I don't want you because you know how to survive my world.”
“I want you because you're the first person who ever looked at me and saw the man beneath the name.”
He took out the ring.
“I don't know if I deserve you.”
“You don't.”
He almost laughed.
“But I'm trying.”
She extended her hand.
“Yes.”
The wedding was planned for the following spring.
Then the invitations arrived.
The first one contained a photograph of Clara as a child.
On the back:
YOU CAN'T MARRY A MORETTI.
The second contained a photograph of Adrian's brother Tobias.
The back read:
ASK HIM WHO REALLY KILLED TOBIAS.
Clara confronted Adrian.
“Is there something you haven't told me?”
He looked at the photographs.
“Yes.”
“What?”
“I know who killed Tobias.”
Her heart stopped.
“Who?”
“My father.”
She stared.
“Your father ordered it.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Tobias found the accounts.”
She closed her eyes.
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
“I didn't know how.”
“You could have started with the truth.”
He nodded.
“I should have.”
Clara walked away.
He didn't follow.
That night, she discovered another document.
Tobias's final ledger.
At the bottom was a name.
Daniel Hayes.
Her father.
Beside it:
He knows where the money is.
Clara stared.
She found Daniel in his hospital room.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
Her father closed his eyes.
“What did you find?”
“This.”
She held up the ledger.
Daniel sighed.
“I was protecting you.”
“Again.”
“Yes.”
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
He looked at her.
“You're the key.”
“To what?”
“The Moretti trust.”
Clara's stomach dropped.
“The real family trust never belonged to Victor.”
“Who owned it?”
“Your mother.”
“Then why?”
“Because she changed it before she died.”
“To me?”
“To you.”
Clara sat.
“How much?”
Daniel shook his head.
“Enough to end everything.”
That night, Clara returned to Adrian.
She placed the papers on the table.
“I know.”
He looked at them.
“You know.”
“I know what I am.”
He swallowed.
“You are not what your family did.”
She stepped closer.
“And you?”
“I don't know yet.”
She kissed him.
“Then figure it out.”
The wedding remained.
But the threat became more dangerous.
May you like
Victor sent one final message.
THE CHANDELIER WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING.
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