Chapter 4: The Unseen Sacrifice
Later that afternoon, Julian drove into the city to meet Clara at a quiet seaside park. Clara sat on a bench, looking exhausted, her eyes red and swollen. She looked smaller, stripped of the wedding dress and grand pretense.
""Why didn't you tell me the truth yesterday?"" Julian asked, stopping a few feet away from her. ""Why did you let me believe you wanted to send Lily away?""
Clara looked up, a sad, broken smile touching her lips. ""Because my mother threatened to destroy your company, Julian. She owns sixty percent of your firm's shares. She promised that if I didn't agree to send Lily away, she would pull all funding and bankrupt you overnight.""
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Julian sat down next to her, stunned. ""You took the blame to protect me?""
""I was terrified,"" Clara sobbed, covering her face. ""My mother has controlled my entire life. When she brought those papers to the venue, I panicked. I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid you’d lose everything you worked for. But losing you and Lily... it's worse than losing anything else.""
