“Bound by Vows, Torn by Secrets”

Chapter 5: Broken Confidence

Clara’s POV

The only sound in the mansion's library was the gentle rustle of papers as I looked through files. When I eventually located it, a document that connected Ethan Caldwell to a business that had covertly transferred money from my family's bakery made my heart race.

I muttered, my hands shaking, "This can't be real," as I went over the specifics once more.

Days earlier, Ethan had played the worried buddy at the gala. What a jerk he is!

I picked up my coat and left, my determination hardened. I discovered Ethan at a chic city café, drinking coffee nonchalantly as if he hadn't ruined my family's business.

"Ethan," I said as I approached his table.

He raised his head, pretending to be surprised. "Clara. It's a welcome surprise.

I slammed the document down on the table and yelled, "Cut the act." "What is this?"

He took a quick look at the page, and his composed expression hardly changed. You've been digging, I see. Clara, what do you want me to say?

"The reality!" I hissed. "You had a hand in undermining my family's company. Why?

With a grin on his lips, Ethan leaned back. "Clara, stop being so gullible. Is Jordan not implicated in all of this, in your opinion?

"How is Jordan related to this?" I raised my voice and demanded.

He gave a gloomy laugh. "Oh, dear Clara. Jordan didn't wed you out of sympathy or affection. He desired authority. Authority over your life and your family's business. Everything.

His remarks were like a kick to the stomach. I muttered, "You're lying," but my suspicions were already beginning to grow.

"Am I?" Ethan spoke in a secretive tone as he leaned forward. "Ask him directly. Check if he disputes it.

As I walked through the mansion's halls, I kept thinking about Ethan's charges. I couldn't get his words out of my head.

At last, I was overcome by my curiosity and my doubt. I headed to Jordan's study after waiting for him to leave for a late meeting.

The air was heavy with secrets, and the place smelled of cedar and leather. My fingers lingered over the drawers as I paused at the desk.

"What am I doing?" I said to myself in a whisper. But I kept going because I needed answers.

I discovered a folder bearing the logo of my family's bakery in the bottom drawer. I opened it with shaking hands and saw paperwork and contracts that validated my worst suspicions.

Jordan was now in charge of my family's business. He had control over every choice and resource.

"How was he able to?" With tears hurting my eyes, I whispered.

A copy of the marriage contract was located beneath the contracts. As I read the calculating, cold words, my heart fell. This was a transaction, not a union.

I felt as though the earth had been torn out from beneath me when I dropped the papers.

I stormed out of Jordan's study as he entered the mansion.

"Clara?" He saw the papers clasped in my hands and his brow furrowed. "What's happening?"

"What's happening?" I said it again, my voice shaking with rage. "Jordan, tell me. Did you ever acknowledge that you are the owner of my family's business? That for you, this marriage was just a commercial transaction.

He didn't dispute it, but his face clouded. "Calm down, Clara"

"You dare not tell me to relax!" My voice reverberated throughout the hallway as I yelled. "You took advantage of me! All you wanted was control, even though you feigned to assist me!

With a groan, Jordan combed through his hair. In a firm voice, he said, "Yes, I did take over the company." "But I didn't mean to harm you."

"Oh?" I lost my temper. "So why did you do that?"

"To keep you safe," he stated in a gentle yet stern tone.

His remarks took me by surprise, and I froze. "Keep me safe? From where?

"From individuals such as Ethan," he stated. "Predators were targeting your family's business. I knew they would ruin you if I didn't intervene, so I did.

His remarks sent me into a spiral of perplexity. "So what? You believed that the best course of action was to marry me and take control?

Jordan fixed his gaze on mine and spoke the words, "It was the only solution." "And I didn't do it to hurt you, whether you believe that or not."

All I could do was stand there, my feelings vacillating between incredulity and rage, wishing I could scream or throw something.

I needed time to comprehend everything, so I withdrew to my room. In addition to shattering my faith in Jordan, Ethan's remarks also troubled me. Who was I to believe?

I was sitting on the edge of my bed when I was startled by a knock at the door. Before vanishing down the hall, a servant gave me a little packet.

I opened it with a sinking heart. Like the previous one, the note was typed within, but this time the message was clear:

"You won't live to regret it, so leave now."

As I read the lines over and over, my hands began to shake. This person wasn't playing bluffs.

"Clara?"

Jordan was standing at the doorway as I looked up, his face growing serious as he took in the note I was holding.

He moved closer and asked, "What's that?"

I gave it to him silently because I was too terrified to conceal it.

As Jordan read the note, his jaw tensed. "What prevented you from telling me about the first one?"

I answered, scarcely raising my voice above a whisper, "I didn't think it was serious." "But now... I'm at a loss for what to do."

Jordan put the note in his pocket after folding it. "You're not alone in this," he stated firmly. "I'll see to it that the person responsible pays."

His remarks simply made me feel more uneasy, even though they were supposed to be consoling.

I kept feeling like I was being watched as Jordan led me to my room that evening. I froze when I looked out the window.

Just past the gates, just perceptible in the gloom was a dark figure.

I took hold of his arm and said, "Jordan."

His face hardened as he followed my gaze. His voice was low and authoritative as he urged, "Go inside and lock the door." "You will never be harmed by anyone again."

I wondered, "Who was that figure?" as I shut the door behind me. What were they hoping to get out of me?

The shadow outside the mansi

on lingered for a moment longer before disappearing into the night, leaving an unsettling silence in its wake.