Claire Reed thought she married the man of her dreams, Evander Kensington, but she had no idea that their marriage was built on a lie; a family vow that trapped him by her side. His heart, however, belonged to another woman, his white lotus. No matter how hard Claire tried to win Evander’s love, he only grew colder, and his family treated her like she didn’t exist. When she lost their unborn child, Claire’s world shattered. She wanted to see Evander, but he didn't bother to check on her. Instead, he went to meet that white lotus. Unable to bear the betrayal, she decided to free Evander from this marriage, leaving behind a letter and divorce papers, claiming she now had someone else she loved! ~~~~ "You’re mine, and I’ll never let you go!” he declared, his voice dark with possessiveness. “But I don’t want you anymore! You can have Susan—I’m now in love with someone else!” Claire shot back, her words sharp and final. "You can't be with anyone. Do you even know how sleepless nights I've without you?" Evander's hold on her tightened. "I'll see how you become some else when I'll claim you," he pronounced before crashing his lips on her.
Evander's POV
"Are you alright?" I asked as I gently wrapped my hand around her shoulder. She flinched and stiffened at my touch! I couldn't tell if she was uncomfortable or just scared of me.
"I... I am fine," Claire muttered, her voice barely above a whisper as she tried to pull away. I tightened my hold to keep her close.
"Do not move." My voice came out cold and unyielding, no matter how hard I tried to soften it. Tenderness didn't come naturally to me; it felt foreign and uncomfortable. This was how I had been taught and raised.
Claire froze as if immobilized by fear. I could sense her uneasiness, but I set it aside for now but I couldn't focus on that right now. My gaze shifted to the man standing across from us, his face pale, his eyes wide as if he had just encountered a ghost.
"What are you doing here?" I demanded in a sharp voice.