THE HEIR'S REVENGE.

CHAPTER TWO

Clara hadn't flinched. She hadn't smiled. She sat completely still, watching him with pale, unblinking eyes. The panic that usually scrambled her thoughts whenever he entered the room was gone, replaced by a strange, heavy silence.

"Clara?" Julian hesitated, his smile wavering slightly. "Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Clara slowly swung her legs over the side of the bed, her bare feet hitting the cold floorboards. She looked at Julian, taking in the crisp line of his jaw, the silver ring on his finger, and the casual confidence of a man who believed he held every piece of the board.

She leaned back, resting her hands in her lap, and offered him a slow, razor-thin smile.

"I'm fine, Julian," she said softly. "I was just thinking about the menu."

lmon is so easily ruined by poor storage. Smothers the flavor. I’d prefer something... sharper."

She walked past him toward the walk-in closet, her shoulder brushing his suit jacket. Julian turned, watching her with a slight pucker between his brows. The quiet, eager-to-please bride who apologized for taking up space was nowhere in this room.

Before he could probe further, the front door to the suite clicked open, accompanied by the bright, chiming laughter that used to anchor Clara’s world.

"Clara! Julian! You won't believe the drama with the florist—"

Elena swept into the bedroom, carrying a stack of bridal magazines and two iced lattes. She wore her hair pinned up, exposing the delicate line of her neck and the simple pearl studs Clara had gifted her just last week.

Clara paused in the closet doorway, her fingers tightening slightly against the mahogany frame.

In her past life, she would have rushed forward, hugged Elena, and laughed along. Now, she simply watched the way Elena’s eyes flicked to Julian first—a split-second check for approval—before landing on her.

"Elena," Clara said smoothly. "You're early."

Elena blinked, the warm smile faltering for a fraction of a second. "Early? We scheduled the dress fitting for ten, sweetie. Are you feeling okay? You haven't touched your coffee, and you look... pale."

never felt clearer," Clara replied. She walked back into the bedroom, stepping deliberately into the space between them. She reached out, her fingers gently brushing the pearl in Elena's left earlobe. Elena stiffened slightly at the sudden touch. "I was just telling Julian that we need to adjust our priorities before the wedding.