Chapter 2
556 Words
Clara's POV
I couldn't breathe.
The rain poured heavily outside the clinic as I rushed through the parking lot, ignoring Julian's voice calling after me.
"Clara! Wait!"
I didn't stop.
For years, I had carried a hatred that kept me going.
For years, I had blamed Adrian Valez for destroying my family.
And now, everything I believed was falling apart.
My hands trembled as I unlocked my car.
Julian finally caught up and grabbed my arm.
"Clara, please listen to me."
I yanked my arm away.
"No."
His face was pale.
"It wasn't that simple."
I laughed bitterly.
"Then explain it to me."
Julian opened his mouth but no words came out.
Exactly.
Because there was no explanation that could justify five years of lies.
"You let me hate him."
"Clara—"
"You watched me suffer."
His silence answered everything.
Tears burned my eyes.
I got into my car and slammed the door before he could say another word.
For several seconds, I sat there gripping the steering wheel.
Then I pulled out my phone.
One name immediately appeared in my mind.
Adrian Valez.
The billionaire who had haunted my life for years.
The man I never wanted to see again.
I needed answers.
And I was going to get them.
No matter what.
---
The next morning.
Valez Corporation Tower stood proudly above the city skyline.
The massive glass building looked just as intimidating as the man who owned it.
I stared at it from across the street.
Maybe this was a mistake.
Maybe I should walk away.
Maybe I wasn't ready to discover the truth.
But then I remembered my father.
Everything we lost.
Every sacrifice.
Every lie.
My hesitation disappeared.
I walked inside.
The marble lobby was even more luxurious than I remembered.
Employees hurried around carrying tablets and folders.
Everyone looked busy.
Important.
Powerful.
I approached the reception desk.
"I'd like to see Adrian Valez."
The receptionist blinked.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No."
"I'm sorry, Miss, but Mr. Valez doesn't meet with visitors without an appointment."
I expected that.
Adrian Valez wasn't exactly known for being accessible.
I was about to leave when a deep voice echoed behind me.
"Let her through."
My entire body froze.
That voice.
Slowly, I turned around.
And there he was.
Adrian Valez.
Tall.
Powerful.
Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.
Five years had somehow made him even more attractive.
Which only annoyed me more.
His dark eyes locked onto mine.
The entire lobby seemed to disappear.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then his gaze softened slightly.
A strange expression crossed his face.
One I couldn't understand.
"Clara."
The way he said my name sent an unfamiliar shiver down my spine.
As though he had been waiting for this moment.
For me.
"I need answers," I said firmly.
His jaw tightened.
"I figured you would."
The receptionist stared at us in shock.
Clearly, she wasn't used to seeing people speak to Adrian Valez like this.
Adrian glanced toward the private elevators.
"Come with me."
Every instinct told me to refuse.
To turn around.
To leave.
But I had come too far.
So I followed him.
Straight into the lion's den.
And I had no idea that by the end of today...
everything I thought I knew about Adrian Valez would change forever.
- Writer
